Israeli forces in Lebanon and Gaza suffer deadliest month of 2024

Israel has recorded its worst month for military deaths this year amid continuing fierce fighting in southern Lebanon and northern Gaza.

At least 62 soldiers have been killed since the start of October, according to official figures, making this the deadliest month for the Israeli military since last December when 110 soldiers were killed at the height of its war against Hamas in Gaza.

It also marks a steep increase in recorded fatalities compared with recent months. Just nine deaths were recorded by the Israeli military in September, and 63 in total between June and August.

At least 35 Israeli soldiers have been killed in southern Lebanon or on the Lebanese border since Israel invaded its northern neighbour at the start of the month in an escalation of its war against Hezbollah. The Lebanese militant group has said it has killed more than 90 Israeli soldiers, although these figures are unverified.

At least 19 soldiers have also died this month in continuing fighting with Hamas in Gaza, where Israel is accused of carrying out a campaign of ethnic cleansing and extermination against Palestinians trapped in the north of the enclave.

Read more: Israeli forces in Lebanon and Gaza suffer deadliest month of 2024