Two Israeli Officers Killed in Lebanon Bomb Blast During Terror Infrastructure Operation

Two Israeli officers, Major Harel Birnstok, 34, from Nokdim, and Captain Tamir Vaknin, 33, from Eilat, were killed on August 5 in a bomb explosion in southern Lebanon. The incident occurred around noon when soldiers from Brigade 55 entered a booby-trapped building in the Majdal Zoun area to clear terror infrastructure. The explosive device detonated as the force entered, killing the two officers and severely injuring four other soldiers.

Following the blast, the IDF's 91st Division launched retaliatory strikes targeting Hezbollah weapons depots and command centers in southern Lebanon. It remains unclear whether the bomb was recently planted or an old device. The IDF spokesperson accused Hezbollah of violating the ceasefire and warned local residents in southern Lebanon, particularly in the village of Al-Mansouri, to evacuate their homes and maintain a distance of at least 1,000 meters from Hezbollah operatives and military assets for their safety.

Major Birnstok is survived by his wife and children. Yaron Rosenthal, head of the Gush Etzion Regional Council, expressed condolences, highlighting Birnstok's roots in Gush Etzion and extending support to the bereaved families and the paratroopers' reserve brigade affected by the loss. The incident underscores ongoing tensions and military operations in the border region between Israel and Lebanon.