Israeli Soldier Critically Injured in Lebanon Blast Undergoes Emergency Treatment in Haifa

During a military operation in southern Lebanon, a powerful explosion severely injured several Israeli reservists, including 26-year-old Dolev from Karmiel. The incident occurred while soldiers from the Paratroopers Brigade's 2855th Reserve Battalion were clearing a booby-trapped building near the northern border, approximately six to eight kilometers inside Lebanon. The blast caused part of the structure to collapse, killing two reservists, Lt. Col. Harel Birnstok and Sgt. Maj. Tamir Vaknin, and critically wounding four others, including Dolev.

Dolev was urgently evacuated by helicopter to Rambam Hospital in Haifa, where he remains in critical condition, sedated and on a ventilator in the intensive care unit. Medical teams have been fighting to save his life since his arrival. His family, who have been by his bedside since the evacuation, have appealed to the public to pray for his full and speedy recovery, sharing his Hebrew name for prayer: Dolev ben Atara.

The rescue operation was conducted under fire and difficult terrain conditions, with Israeli forces working to extract the wounded and transport them to medical centers in Israel. The community in Karmiel and Dolev’s comrades are holding onto hope and urging the public to join in prayers for all the injured soldiers. The family also shared a passage from Psalm 130, calling for divine mercy and healing.

This tragic event highlights the ongoing risks faced by Israeli forces operating near the Lebanese border, where militant threats remain high. The military continues to monitor the situation closely as investigations into the incident proceed.