A video shows the IDF's elite helicopter search and rescue unit evacuating some of Israel's 260 soldiers wounded battling Hamas in Gaza
Israel Defense Forces/X
- The IDF released a video showing injured troops being evacuated from Gaza in helicopters.
- The 669 Unit has evacuated 260 wounded soldiers since the war began.
- The IDF has released the names of 25 soldiers killed during the ground invasion.
The Israel Defense Forces have released a video showing the evacuation of troops injured during the ground invasion of Gaza.
The elite 669 Unit has carried out 150 ground and rescue operations and evacuated 260 wounded soldiers since the war began, according to the IDF.
The video shows rescuers from the unit landing in helicopters to pick up injured troops, who can be seen being loaded onto stretchers and flown to hospitals in Israel.
—Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) November 3, 2023
The faces of the soldiers are blurred out in the video.
The 669 Unit is a special forces team within the Israeli Air Force and is Israel's primary rescue unit. They are highly trained ground soldiers who also have medical training.
Israel began a ground invasion of northern Gaza last week following the October 7 Hamas attacks, along with conducting ongoing air strikes across the enclave.
The IDF has released the names of 25 soldiers killed during the ground invasion. Hamas casualties are unknown.
The Israeli military also released footage appearing to show Israeli infantry and tank forces on the ground in Gaza advancing and firing at targets.
Israeli troops have been battling Hamas fighters in Gaza for over a week.
Israeli forces appear to have encircled the coastal enclave's main city, Insider's Jake Epstein reported.
The IDF "are encircling Gaza City from the air, the land, and the sea," Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari said at a press briefing on Friday. He said Israeli troops are "advancing in battles," destroying Hamas infrastructure, and killing militants, as well as eliminating tunnels belonging to the group.
Israel's modern army is being confronted by Hamas fighters using attack drones, improvised explosive devices (IEDs), rocket launchers, and anti-tank weapons, according to reports.