Golani Brigade Captain David Hazut Killed in Clash with Hezbollah in Southern Lebanon

Captain David Hazut, 21, from Ashkelon and a platoon commander in the 12th Battalion of the Golani Brigade, was killed during a combat encounter in southern Lebanon. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) authorized the publication of his death following the incident, which occurred around 2 a.m. between Saturday night and Sunday morning near the village of Deir Sirian. During a search operation for a suspected Hezbollah militant, Golani Brigade soldiers engaged with the militant, resulting in Hazut's death and a lightly wounded IDF soldier. The forces continued their search and targeted enemy positions in the area.

Hazut was a graduate of Ort Afridar School in Ashkelon and is survived by his mother and sister. Ashkelon's mayor, Tomer Glam, expressed condolences, stating, "The city of Ashkelon bows its head and mourns the death of Captain David Hazut, a resident and platoon commander in the 12th Battalion of the Golani Brigade, who fell defending the homeland in southern Lebanon at age 21. He leaves behind a grieving family. May his memory be blessed and preserved in our hearts forever."

This incident follows a deadly week in Lebanon where seven IDF soldiers were killed. Among them was Lieutenant Colonel Dor Ben Shimon, commander of the 52nd Battalion, who died alongside three soldiers in a tank explosion. Other casualties included Sergeant Alexander Filin, killed by an explosive device in the village of Al-Taybeh; Sergeant Nir Ben Ari, killed by Hezbollah rocket and drone attacks; and reservist Sergeant Basel Sweid, who died in a military fuel truck accident.