TEL AVIV, March 3, 2024 (BSS/TASS) - Three soldiers of the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) were killed and 14 more wounded in southern Gaza, the Jerusalem Post reported citing IDF's press office.

According to the daily, "the Israeli troops were operating in a two-story building wherein they expected to confront terrorists when they encountered a number of booby traps."

"The IDF named the three fallen soldiers as 19-year-old Sergeant Dolev Malka from Shlomi, 19-year-old Sergeant Afik Tery from Rehovot, and 20-year-old Sergeant Inon Yitzhak from Mitzpe Ramon," the newspaper added.

Tensions in the Middle East flared up again on October 7, 2023, after militants from the radical Palestinian group Hamas launched a surprise incursion into Israeli territory from the Gaza Strip, killing residents of border communities and taking people hostage.

In response, Israel announced a total blockade of Gaza and launched a ground military operation in the enclave, also carrying out strikes on targets in the Strip and certain areas of Lebanon and Syria.