Israel’s military said on Saturday that Sgt. Maj. Yoav Klein and Staff Sgt. Nir Ben Ari were killed in fighting in Lebanon. In the incident in which Klein fell, Lt. Col. Dor Gedalia Ben Shimon and two additional soldiers, whose names have not yet been cleared for publication, were also killed. In the incident in which Ben Ari was killed, two IDF soldiers were seriously wounded and one combat officer was moderately wounded. The injured were evacuated to hospitals and their families were notified.
During the Sabbath, Iran announced it was closing the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important shipping routes, a move that further raised regional tensions and affected energy markets. At the same time, fighting continued in southern Lebanon, where the IDF struck Hezbollah targets under Israel’s enforcement policy. An Israeli source said Israel is prepared to hold its fire and avoid further escalation.
US President Donald Trump praised Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, calling him a “fighter” who deserves credit for his achievements. Trump also shared an article about Netanyahu’s public standing and his chances in the next elections.
Diplomatic efforts between Washington and Tehran are continuing, alongside attempts to stabilize the ceasefire in Lebanon and prevent another regional slide. Elsewhere, a magnitude 5.8 earthquake was felt in Crete with no reports of casualties or damage. Civil Administration forces rescued a Jewish man who had entered Ramallah and was left stranded there. Separately, a man suspected of having Ebola arrived in Israel and is being treated in isolation, while specialized teams were documented disinfecting the Rambam Hospital area overnight after the patient’s transfer.
