IDF officer, soldier killed in Gaza

It was cleared for publication Thursday evening that Staff - Sergeant Amit Robinson, 20, of Kibbutz Magal was killed during the army's activity in northern Gaza. Robinson, a soldier in the Armored Corps, was apparently killed by Palestinian sniper fire.

Captain Omer Rabinovitch, a 23-year-old Golani commander from Arad, was also killed Thursday during exchanges of fire with terrorists. IDF sources said many terrorists were killed during the battle in which Rabinovitch was killed.

Eight IDF soldiers have been killed since the ground incursion into the Hamas-controlled territory was launched.

Robinson was killed during a joint operation carried out by infantry, Armored and Engineering Corps forces. During the activity snipers opened fire at the soldiers, killing Robinson and lightly injuring another soldier, who was evacuated to Beersheba's Soroka University Medial Center for treatment.

Robinson belonged to the Armored Corps 71st battalion, the same battalion to which kidnapped IDF soldier Gilad Shalit belonged. The battalion's forces have been operating in the Strip since the ground incursion began on Saturday.

Palestinian sniper fire poses a major threat to IDF forces in Gaza. Army officials said Hamas is resorting to sniper fire and the launching of anti-tank missiles in order to avoid face-to-face combat or encounters with armored military vehicles.

Earlier Thursday Major Roee Rosner, 27, from Holon was killed and another soldier sustained minor injuries during an operation in the central Gaza Strip.

The incident took place near the Kissufim crossing. Rosner, a company commander, and another serviceman, were wounded when an anti-tank missile was fired by Palestinian gunmen at a building their force, which is part of the IDF's Haruv Company, was entering. 

Also on Thursday, IDF Chief of Staff Gabi Ashkenazi visited forces in Gaza and spoke to Givati and Golani commanders about the fighting.