The IDF spokesman said on Friday that the name of one of the soldiers killed in southern Lebanon has been cleared for publication: Lt. Col. Dor Gedalia Ben Shimchon, 32, from Beit HaShita, commander of Battalion 52 in the 401st Iron Trails Division. Three additional fighters were also killed, but their names have not yet been released.
Since fighting in the north resumed about three months ago with the launch of Operation Lion's Roar, 35 soldiers have been killed, 22 of them after the ceasefire was announced. Since the start of the war, the names of 957 IDF fallen have been published, including 473 fighters killed in Gaza and 82 in southern Lebanon.
On Thursday, the IDF announced the death of another soldier in southern Lebanon, Warrant Officer (res.) Alexander Filin, 29, of Haifa, a fighter in Division 36 headquarters. He was killed by an explosive device detonation in the Litani area. Seven other fighters were wounded, including the deputy division commander, a reserve battalion commander and another reserve fighter who were moderately hurt, as well as a reserve NCO, two reserve soldiers and a female soldier with light injuries.
Filin immigrated alone from Ukraine 14 years ago through the Naale program. He enlisted in the IDF and received the President's Medal of Excellence in 2018, on Israel's 70th Independence Day, after neutralizing a terrorist who tried to carry out a stabbing attack at the Shchem checkpoint two years earlier. He left behind a three-year-old daughter, and his wife was informed of his death while abroad. Haifa Mayor Yona Yahav and Defense Minister Israel Katz both issued condolence statements praising his service and expressing support for his family and the wounded troops.
