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IDF troops Killed Gaza
Israeli soldiers carry the flag-draped coffin of their a comrade killed during Operation Protective Edge at his funeral. Lior Mizrahi/Getty Images

Israel said seven of its soldiers have been killed in fighting in the Gaza Strip in the last 24 hours.

Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) tweeted:

A spokesperson for the IDF added that 30 soldiers were wounded in the same period of time, including three seriously.

Four IDF troops were killed overnight, as an antitank missile hit the jeep they were travelling on near Kibbutz Niram near the Gaza border, The Times of Israel reported.

Three others were killed in Gaza's eastern suburb of Shejaiya. One was likely shot dead by friendly fire.

IDF named one of the soldiers who fell today as Staff Sgt.Yuval Dagan, 22, from Kfar Saba.

The deaths bring the total of Israelis killed since the start of Operation Protective Edge to 27, including two civilians.

Israel launched a ground offensive in the Gaza Strip last week after days of shelling. At least 550 Palestinians have been killed.

Earlier today, Israeli allagedly tanks hit the third floor of the hospital that housed an intensive care unit and operating theatres killing five and injuring dozens.

Palestine