A soldier from the 71st Armored Corps Battalion, 188th Brigade, was severely injured by a mortar fragment during combat operations in the southern Gaza Strip, according to reports released Thursday. The injured soldier was promptly evacuated to a hospital for medical care, and his family has been informed of his condition. This incident follows another on Tuesday, where both a platoon commander and a combat engineering soldier from the Southern Brigade were also severely injured during combat in the same region. Both were taken to a hospital for treatment, and their families have been notified.