IDF Captain David Hazut Killed in Clash with Hezbollah in South Lebanon

The IDF confirmed that Captain David Hazut, 21, from Ashkelon and a platoon commander in the Golani Brigade's 12th Battalion, was killed in combat during a clash with a Hezbollah militant near Deir Sirian in southern Lebanon. The incident occurred around 2:00 a.m. when a Golani battalion combat team encountered the militant, who opened fire. Captain Hazut was killed and another soldier was lightly wounded and evacuated for medical treatment. The soldiers returned fire but did not neutralize the attacker. Following the encounter, the IDF launched artillery strikes in the area.

This marks the first Israeli fatality since the signing of the framework agreement between Israel and Lebanon on Friday, which outlines the beginning of IDF withdrawal from southern Lebanon while allowing Israeli forces to remain as long as Hezbollah remains armed. Since October 7, 2023, there have been 964 Israeli war casualties. The wounded soldier's family has been informed of his condition.