IDF Names Third Soldier Killed in Battalion Commanders’ Tank Disaster

The IDF on Saturday night and Sunday morning released more details about a deadly week of fighting in southern Lebanon and identified the third soldier killed in the battalion commanders’ tank disaster as Staff Sgt. Liav Kbabia, 20, from Hod HaSharon. Earlier, the military had also named Staff Sgt. Yoav Klein, 21, from Herzliya, who died in the same incident, and Staff Sgt. Nir Ben Ari, 21, from Kerem Maharal, who was killed in a separate event. Thirteen soldiers were wounded in the serious tank incident.

The disclosures came as the bloodiest week of the current fighting ended with a ceasefire order from the political leadership. Six IDF soldiers were killed in combat in southern Lebanon over the week. Despite the ceasefire instruction, the army said it is still holding its security zone in southern Lebanon and continuing operations in the main combat areas.

According to the IDF, troops are still active around Teibeh and the Beaufort Ridge, where dozens of Hezbollah operatives are reportedly trapped in an underground compound in Teibeh. Security officials are also maintaining a high alert level because of threats from Iran.

Separately, the Iranian delegation to the negotiations landed in Zurich, Switzerland, late Saturday night. At the same time, former US President Donald Trump wrote on Truth that there should be no transit fees in the Strait of Hormuz during a 60-day ceasefire period, and none afterward either unless imposed by the United States for its own benefit, describing the move as payment for US services as a “guardian angel” for Middle Eastern states.