An IDF Solider holding an Israeli flag. Photo: IDF.

JNS.org – Four Israeli soldiers were killed and 23 were wounded on Saturday during the Israel Defense Forces’ (IDF) ground operation in Gaza, bringing the total number of military casualties for the Jewish state during Operation Protective Edge to five.

As of Saturday, the IDF had uncovered 13 terror tunnels and 34 tunnel openings in Gaza, Israel Hayom reported.

“You need to clean out the Gaza region [of tunnels], you need to find those tunnel openings,” IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Benny Gantz told soldiers. “I always said that what the nation sees as an emergency, we see as war. That is how you need to enter this act. You have your enemies, and you have your mission.”