The IDF said Thursday morning that Master Sgt. (res.) Alexandr Filin, 29, from Haifa, a fighter in Division 36 headquarters, was killed the previous day by an explosive device in southern Lebanon. In the same incident, one combat officer, one reserve combat officer and another reserve fighter were moderately wounded. A warrant officer-combatant, two reserve fighters and a reserve female soldier were lightly wounded. All were evacuated for hospital treatment and their families were notified.
The deadly incident took place around 5 p.m. Tuesday, when a force operating on foot in the Litani River area, under the deputy commander of Division 36, came under attack. An initial IDF inquiry said the blast was apparently caused by an enemy explosive device, while the rest of the circumstances were still being examined. The deputy division commander and a reserve battalion commander in Logistics Brigade 556 were among those moderately wounded. Afterward, the IDF said it struck terrorist infrastructure in the area with artillery fire.
Earlier that day, around 6 a.m., a Hezbollah explosive drone entered the village of Tebnit in southern Lebanon and exploded near a tank belonging to the Givati Brigade combat team. Four soldiers were wounded by the blast and shrapnel. Minutes later, while troops were rescuing the injured, another explosive drone detonated directly on an evacuation vehicle, injuring a fifth soldier. Of the five wounded, one was seriously hurt, two were moderately wounded and the others were lightly hurt. All were evacuated by helicopter to hospital, and their families were informed.
The IDF said its forces responded with heavy artillery fire at terrorist infrastructure in the area, while the Air Force intercepted several rockets fired at Israeli troops in southern Lebanon, with additional rockets landing nearby without causing casualties. Later in the evening, more rockets and a drone aimed at the forces were intercepted.
Against the backdrop of wording in a renewed ceasefire understanding involving the United States and Iran that suggests fighting could end on all fronts, including Lebanon, the IDF presented the political echelon with three warnings: preserve freedom of action throughout Lebanon, maintain a buffer line that includes territory beyond the border where the IDF is now deployed, and demilitarize southern Lebanon. Senior commanders have been holding intensive, sensitive consultations in recent days about next steps, amid uncertainty over whether the army will push forward toward additional objectives such as Nabatieh or gradually withdraw back to the border. The broader issue of how the IDF will shape its presence on the northern border remains unresolved. Two weeks ago, Capt. Shahar Gamla, 23, and Sgt. Ohad Yaari, 21, were killed. Since President Donald Trump announced a renewed ceasefire in Lebanon on April 16, the names of 18 soldiers and one civilian contractor killed by explosive drone strikes in southern Lebanon have been cleared for publication. Since the war began on October 7, 957 soldiers have fallen.
