IDF Reserve Sergeant Major Killed in Southern Lebanon Blast

The IDF on Thursday cleared for publication that Reserve Sgt. Maj. Alexander Filin, 29, from Haifa, was killed in combat in southern Lebanon. Filin served in Division 36 headquarters.

According to initial details, the incident took place on Wednesday around 5 p.m. in the Litani area near the village of al-Taybeh. A force from the deputy commander of Division 36's command post, together with Givati Brigade fighters, was moving on foot when an explosive device was triggered against them.

Filin was killed in the blast, and seven other fighters were wounded. Among the moderately wounded are the deputy commander of Division 36, a colonel, a reserve battalion commander in the 556th Brigade, a lieutenant colonel, and another reserve fighter. A warrant officer, two reserve fighters, and a reservist soldier were lightly wounded.

All of the wounded were evacuated to hospitals, and their families were notified. The IDF is still investigating the circumstances of the incident. The deadly blast came only hours after another incident in the same area, in which five fighters were wounded by two explosive drones, including one seriously and the others moderately or lightly.