Israeli military says soldier killed in Gaza ground operation on 11th day of conflict

JERUSALEM – Israel's military says a soldier has been killed in a ground operation in the Gaza Strip. The circumstances of his death were not immediately clear.

Israel's chief military spokesman Brig. Gen. Motti Almoz told Israeli Army Radio "we are checking the circumstances" behind the soldier's death.

It was the first military casualty since Israel announced the start of a ground operation into Gaza late Thursday.

Friday is the 11th day of fighting between Israel and Gaza's Hamas rulers.