IDF Officer Tamir Vaknin Killed in Lebanon Blast, Brother Honors His Generosity

Lieutenant Colonel Tamir Vaknin and Major Harel Birnstok were killed on August 5 in a roadside bomb explosion in Lebanon, according to the IDF. Four other soldiers were seriously injured in the incident. The IDF accused Hezbollah of violating the ceasefire and warned residents of southern Lebanon to evacuate areas near Hezbollah operatives and infrastructure for their safety.

Tamir Vaknin's brother, Yoav, spoke in an interview about his late brother's dedication to serving Israel and his commitment to reserve duty. Yoav described Tamir as the heart of his unit, known for his humor and generosity. He recalled their last conversation the evening before the explosion, saying they laughed as usual and that Tamir reassured him to stay calm. Vaknin had previously served seven months in Gaza and had deployments in Syria and Lebanon.

Yoav emphasized the importance of remembering Tamir as a giving person who cared deeply for his family and comrades. He called all reservists heroes and "the salt of the earth." Tamir Vaknin's funeral is scheduled for 7 p.m. on August 6 in Eilat.

Following the attack, the IDF instructed residents of the village of Al-Mansouri to evacuate immediately to avoid harm, stressing that the army does not wish to harm civilians but must act against Hezbollah threats.