Hezbollah Fires Dozens of Rockets at IDF in South Lebanon, Two Soldiers Killed

Hezbollah fired more than 50 rockets and drones at IDF forces operating in southern Lebanon during several incidents overnight Saturday, the military said. The IDF described the attacks as repeated violations of the ceasefire agreement and said it would not tolerate harm to Israeli civilians or its troops.

In response, the IDF struck dozens of Hezbollah terror sites and operatives across southern Lebanon overnight. The targets included rocket launch positions, weapons depots and command posts. The army said it remains committed to the ceasefire under the political leadership’s instructions, but will continue acting to remove any threat to Israel and its forces.

The military also cleared for publication that Staff Sgt. Nir Ben Ari, 21, a commando soldier from Karmiel in Moshav Kfar Mahlal, was killed by Hezbollah fire in southern Lebanon. Ben Ari served as a unit sergeant major in Maglan and had been due to begin his release leave at the end of the month. According to the report, rockets and drones were launched toward the area of the village of Tebenin, and 13 additional soldiers were wounded, including one seriously.

It was also announced that Staff Sgt. Yoav Klein, 21, of Herzliya, a tank soldier in Battalion 52, was killed in the tank disaster that also claimed the life of Battalion 52 commander Lt. Col. Dor Ben Shimon and two other soldiers whose names have not yet been released. The incident took place near Tebenin during an operation by Battalion 52 under the Givati Brigade combat team. The IDF is still investigating what struck the tank, but has ruled out accident or technical failure and concluded it was hit from outside.