Israeli Reservists Harel Birnstok and Tamir Vaknin Die in Southern Lebanon Explosion

Lieutenant Colonel Harel Birnstok, 34, from Nokedim, and Major Tamir Vaknin, 33, from Eilat, were killed in a landmine explosion in southern Lebanon on August 5, 2026. Four other soldiers were seriously injured in the incident. Birnstok, who served six reserve duty cycles, left behind a wife and children. His close friend Michael Tomer described him as a devoted family man and a true friend who prioritized his reserve service above all else in recent years. "You could always be sure that wherever he was needed, he would show up," Tomer said. Birnstok’s funeral is scheduled for 12:00 at Mount Herzl.

Tamir Vaknin, who had served three years on the front lines, was remembered by his cousin Tomer Marciano as "always first," embodying the spirit of a dedicated soldier and a person who loved life. Although he recently lived in Tel Aviv, Eilat remained his true home. Vaknin’s funeral will take place at 19:00 in Eilat, with the city distributing Israeli flags at the cemetery entrance starting at 18:00. Eilat’s mayor, Eli Lankri, visited the family and expressed deep condolences, calling Vaknin one of the city’s finest sons. Both funerals reflect the heavy toll on Israeli reservists serving in Lebanon and the close-knit communities mourning their loss.