The recent increase in the number of casualties among Israeli troops is due to heavy close quarters fighting between Israeli forces and Hamas fighters, FRANCE 24's terrorism expert Wassim Nasr said, analysing the IDF’s ground operations in Gaza. After pushing into the heart of Khan Younis, a Hamas stronghold, late last week, Israeli troops are battling Palestinian militants in the city's narrow streets and alleyways. Without the protection of tanks and armoured vehicles, ground soldiers are increasingly exposed and vulnerable, Nasr said.
