IDF Sergeant Nir Ben Ari Killed in Southern Lebanon Clash; 13 Soldiers Wounded

The IDF announced that Sgt. Nir Ben Ari, 21, from Kerem Maharal, was killed overnight in fighting in southern Lebanon. He died in the village of Tabenin during an operation by a Commando Brigade force that was hit directly by mortar fire and an explosive drone. The incident happened around 1:30 a.m., and 13 other fighters were wounded, including two seriously.

Ben Ari served as a company sergeant major in the Maglan unit. He was due to turn 22 in nine days and was scheduled to begin his post-service leave later this month. His family said he had already bought a flight ticket to Thailand for mid-August. Friends and relatives described him as an outstanding student who was always cheerful and surrounded by friends and love. He leaves behind two brothers, Guy and Shai, and a sister, Shir.

In response to the attack, the IDF struck targets in southern Lebanon. Ben Ari’s death came amid a series of deadly incidents in the area. On Thursday night into Friday, four IDF soldiers were announced killed in combat in the same village, including Lt. Col. Dor Gedalia Ben Shimhon, 32, commander of Battalion 52 in the 401st Brigade, from Kibbutz Beit HaShita.

The school Ben Ari attended posted a tribute saying it was informing the community with a broken heart. It said he graduated in the 2022 school year, studied biology and physics, and that his parents are Yaron and Olga. The school noted that his brothers Guy and Shai are also alumni, while his younger sister Shir is still a student there. Burial arrangements had not yet been finalized, with a possible funeral after Shabbat in Kerem Maharal.