An officer with Israel's Paratroopers Brigade became the fifth Israeli soldier killed while fighting Hamas terrorists in Gaza late Monday night.
Three more soldiers were killed earlier on Monday when an Israeli tank mistakenly opened fire on a large group of Israeli infantrymen.
Two dozen soldiers were wounded in the friendly-fire incident, including the commander of the Golani Infantry Brigade.
Israeli forces continue to encircle Gaza City, possibly setting up a major showdown with Hamas forces in the back allies of the overcrowded city.
The army estimates that some 150 Palestinian terrorists have been killed since ground forces were sent into Gaza late Saturday night. Another 80 or more have been captured and sent for interrogation.