The IDF said Thursday morning that Staff Sgt. Maj. (res.) Alexander Filin, 29, from Haifa, a fighter in Division 36 headquarters, was killed the day before by an explosive device in southern Lebanon. The incident happened around 5:00 p.m. while a force from the deputy division commander’s command post was moving on foot near the Litani River. In the initial military inquiry, the IDF said the blast was most likely caused by an enemy bomb, while other details are still under investigation.
Several other troops were wounded in the same incident. A combat officer, a reserve combat officer and another reserve soldier were moderately injured, while a combat NCO, two reserve soldiers and a reserve female soldier were lightly hurt. All were evacuated to hospital and their families were notified. The IDF said artillery fire was later used against terror infrastructure in the area.
The article also describes a separate clash earlier that day, around 6:00 a.m., when an explosive Hezbollah drone entered the village area of Tebnine in southern Lebanon and detonated near a tank from the Givati Brigade battle team. Four soldiers were wounded by the blast and shrapnel, and minutes later another explosive drone struck a medical evacuation vehicle, wounding a fifth soldier. Of the five, one was seriously injured, two were moderately hurt and the others were lightly wounded. They were evacuated by air to hospital, and the IDF said it responded with heavy artillery fire. Later in the day, the air force intercepted several rockets fired at troops operating in southern Lebanon, with other rockets landing nearby without causing casualties. In the evening, more rockets and a drone were intercepted.
Against the backdrop of discussion about a possible end to fighting across fronts, including Lebanon, in the full text of a U.S.-Iran understanding, the IDF passed three warnings to the political leadership: preserve freedom of action throughout Lebanon, maintain a buffer zone beyond the border where the IDF is currently present, and demilitarize southern Lebanon. Senior military discussions have been underway in recent days to define the next steps, with options ranging from advancing to seize more territory, including Nabatieh, to a gradual withdrawal back to the border.
The report says that 18 soldiers and one civilian contractor for the Defense Ministry have been publicly named since President Donald Trump announced a renewed ceasefire in Lebanon on April 16. Since the war began on October 7, 957 soldiers have been killed and 6,424 wounded, including 958 seriously, 1,572 moderately and 3,894 lightly. As of Thursday morning, five soldiers were hospitalized in serious condition and 149 in moderate condition.
