Soldier wounded in Gaza dies, raising death toll to 72

Sgt. Shahar Shalev, who was critically wounded in Gaza almost six weeks ago, succumbed to his wounds on Sunday, raising the Israeli death toll in Operation Protective Edge to 72.

Three other soldiers had been killed in the explosion, which occurred in a booby-trapped house in the Gaza neighborhood on Khan Younis on July 23, less than a week after IDF ground troops entered Gaza. The troops had entered the building when it collapsed after an explosive charge was detonated. The three were Lt. Paz Elyahu, Staff Sgt. Li Mat and Staff Sgt. Shahar Dauber. Shalev was evacuated from the scene in critical condition and never regained consciousness. Seven soldiers were wounded in the incident.

During his treatment, doctors had to amputate both of his legs. He required daily infusions and Israelis came out in droves to donate platelets in efforts to save the combat soldier's life.

Shalev's hometown of Alonei Habashan, located in the Golan Heights, issued a mournful statement lamenting his death: "The community of Alonei Habashan lowers its head at the premature death of one of its sons, who fought courageously for our country and was wounded at the start of Operation Protective Edge."

"Shahar was born and raised in Alonei Habashan, and among us he is the first to die in combat. May he also be the last. We want to thank the people of Israel for taking part in our prayers, the staff of Soroka and Rambam hospitals who worked hard to try to save him and all the volunteers along the way -- those who knew him and those who didn't."

On Friday, IDF soldier Netanel Maman died of injuries sustained while on leave a week prior. Maman was hit by shrapnel in a rocket attack near Ashdod and succumbed to his injuries a week later.

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