IDF Soldiers Clarify Hezbollah Militant Was Killed by Infantry, Not Combat Dog Handler

Fighters from Brigade 679, operating under Division 91 in the security zone of southern Lebanon, have contested the Israel Defense Forces' official account of a recent incident in Bint Jbeil where a Hezbollah militant was killed. The IDF spokesperson's statement said that during searches in a building linked to a previous clash, a combat dog named Mars was sent in and killed by the militant, after which the combat dog handler returned fire and killed the attacker.

However, soldiers involved in the operation clarified that while the combat dog handler did return fire after the militant killed Mars, the actual killing was carried out by soldiers from Battalion 8112. According to these soldiers, after the militant opened fire and killed the dog, Battalion 8112 troops surrounded the militant inside the damaged building and called on him to surrender. When the militant moved toward a weapon lying beside him, one of the battalion fighters shot and killed him.

This clarification emphasizes that the militant's death was not solely the result of the combat dog handler's actions, but rather a coordinated effort by the infantry battalion. The incident occurred during ongoing security operations in southern Lebanon, highlighting the complex nature of such engagements. The IDF has not issued a further statement addressing these claims.