IDF Captain David Hazut Killed in Combat in Southern Lebanon

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed the death of Captain David Hazut, 21, from Ashkelon, who served as a platoon commander in the Golani Brigade's 12th Battalion. He was killed in combat during an operational activity in southern Lebanon. The incident occurred during a clash with a Hezbollah militant in the security zone near Beit Yahoun, where the militant threw a grenade at the IDF forces before being neutralized by return fire. On the same day, the IDF reported that one officer was moderately wounded and three soldiers sustained light injuries in the encounter.

Earlier, the IDF released the name of another fallen soldier, retired Staff Sergeant Basel Sweid, 32, from Peki'in, who served as a driver in the 75th Battalion of the Sa'ar Division (7th Brigade). Sweid died in a military vehicle accident in the village of Rab al-Taltin, where the vehicle overturned. Another soldier was moderately injured in the accident. Sweid also worked as an operations coordinator at Rambam Hospital in Haifa, where the hospital director, Dr. Michal Mekel, expressed deep sorrow and praised his dedication and service to both the hospital and Israeli society.

Since the resumption of hostilities in the north about three months ago, during Operation "Roar of the Lion," 37 IDF soldiers have been killed, including 23 after a ceasefire was declared. Since the start of the war, 963 IDF soldiers have died, including 473 in combat in the Gaza Strip and 84 in southern Lebanon.

Additionally, the IDF announced the death of Raad Abu Alqian, a 49-year-old contractor from the Hura Regional Council in the Negev, who was killed when a mosque tower collapsed on the engineering vehicle he was operating during ground leveling work in northern Gaza at Beit Lahia. The collapse occurred during engineering activities aimed at flattening the terrain.