The number of Israeli soldiers who died in the wake of Operation Al-Aqsa Flood has risen to 189, Israeli media reported Wednesday as the number of dead Israelis continues to rise.

In addition to the nearly 200 killed soldiers, Israeli media said some 81 prisoners were being held captive in the Gaza Strip. 

Israeli media said some 81 Israeli prisoners were identified, while the families of 60 of them were informed of their fate.

The Israeli Public Broadcasting Corporation had previously reported that the number of Israeli deaths had risen to about 1,200, while more than 2,900 settlers were wounded as Operation Al-Aqsa Flood is still unfolding days after it was launched by the Palestinian resistance.

Israeli media quoted the families of the Israeli captives as warning Israeli President Isaac Herzog of shaking "Israel" to the core if their children are not returned.

Israeli media underlined that there is growing dissatisfaction and rage among the settlers of the Gaza envelope, who have been highly critical of the Israeli occupation's security and military establishments.

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In its editorial page, the Israeli Haaretz newspaper called on the Israeli government to urgently work for the release of settlers held captive by Hamas and the PIJ in the Gaza Strip.

"The meaning is clear: an immediate push for a prisoner exchange deal, with Israeli readiness to release the security prisoners held in Israel."

The newspaper added that the lethal retaliatory attack which the Israeli government is evidence that returning the captives is not a priority for the government at the moment. 

The newspaper also criticized the Israeli government's decision to act by the Hanibal Protocol in regard to those held captives in Gaza. The rule of thumb of the Hanibal Protocol is "Better a dead soldier than a captive soldier". 

The newspaper quoted the Israeli Ambassador to the United Nations, Gilad Erdan, in an interview with CNN as saying that concern for the situation of the captives "will not prevent us from doing everything required to ensure Israel's future."

Yossi Shelly, the Director-General of the Israeli Prime Minister's Office, also said, "The captives are a reality, and the attack is a reality, and this is the decision".

Confrontations ongoing in Gaza Envelope

Amid tensions within the Gaza Envelope still, the spokesperson for the Israeli occupation forces underlined that the Gaza border area was a "combat zone" where confrontations were still ongoing between the IOF and the Palestinian resistance forces.

Israeli media reported confrontations in the illegal settlement of "Nir Am," located in the Gaza Envelope, noting that gunfire from these confrontations the sound of these clashes could be heard in "Sderot," where its settlers were ordered to stay in their homes.

In response, the Al-Qassam Brigades targeted Asdod, Askalan, and the settlement of "Sderot" with dozens of rockets from various locations since Wednesday morning.

Al-Qassam Brigades also mentioned that the enemy acknowledged that their rockets caused direct damages upon hitting at least four buildings in "Sderot".

The Palestinian Ministry of Health in the Gaza Strip reported earlier in the day that the number of martyrs from the Israeli aggression had risen to 1,055 martyrs, noting that 5,184 people have been reported injured and more than 140,000 people sought refuge after their homes were destroyed through air raids and white phosphorous.

The Ministry also reported that the Israeli occupation is deliberately targeting medical teams, healthcare institutions, and ambulances to stifle rescue operations. The Health Ministry added that medical teams are working in dangerous and unsafe conditions, but they remain committed to their duties towards their people.

"Israel" says it has concentrated its forces, including tanks and heavy armored units, around Gaza as part of its counter-retaliation.

On another note, US President Joe Biden has committed to providing additional ammunition and military equipment to its ally, "Israel."