Tel Aviv/Gaza  - An Israeli soldier died Thursday during fighting in the Gaza Strip, the third military death within 24 hours, an Israeli military spokesman said in Tel Aviv.

Earlier, an Israeli infantry officer, was hit and killed Thursday morning by an anti-tank rocket fired by militants, and a tank sergeant was shot to death by a sniper in the afternoon.

Thursday's casualties bring the Israel military toll since Saturday's invasion to nine dead.

Since Israel began an air bombardment on December 27 against Hamas targets in Gaza, at least 763 Palestinians have been reported killed and 3,120 wounded. During that time, three civilians in southern Israel have been killed by rockets fired from Gaza by Palestinian militants.

Israel says that its military action is meant to halt a surge in rocket fire out of Gaza. (dpa)