The IDF said Monday it had cleared for publication that Reserve Master Sgt. Alexander Filin was killed in southern Lebanon after an explosive device detonated in the village of A-Taybeh. Seven other soldiers were wounded in the same incident, which occurred at about 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, June 17, while a force from the 36th Division was operating in the area and struck the device.
An initial military probe says the device was planted by Hezbollah operatives. The army is still investigating the circumstances and trying to determine when the explosive was placed.
Earlier that morning, around 6:00 a.m., an explosive drone detonated near a tank belonging to the Givati Brigade combat team. Five soldiers were wounded in that blast, including one seriously and two moderately. A second explosive drone then hit an evacuation vehicle, and another IDF soldier was later evacuated by helicopter after being injured.
In response to the earlier attacks, the forces fired artillery at Hezbollah terror infrastructure in southern Lebanon.