Israeli Soldier Severely Wounded in Lebanon Blast as Family Calls for Prayers

Dolev Ben Atara, a 26-year-old Israeli soldier from Karmiel, is hospitalized in critical condition at Rambam Medical Center in Haifa after a powerful explosive device detonated in a booby-trapped building in southern Lebanon. The incident occurred during a combing operation by reservists from the 2855th Battalion of the Paratroopers Brigade in the village of Majdal Zun, approximately six to eight kilometers from the Israeli northern border.

The explosion caused part of the building to collapse, killing the platoon commander, Lt. Col. (res.) Harel Birnstok, and combat medic Maj. (res.) Tamir Vaknin. Four other soldiers were seriously injured, including Ben Atara. Rescue and medical teams from the Northern Command and the Air Force evacuated the wounded under difficult conditions and enemy fire to hospitals in Israel.

Since his arrival at Rambam, Ben Atara has been sedated and ventilated in the intensive care unit, with doctors describing his condition as severe and stable but critical. His family, who have remained by his bedside since the injury, have issued an emotional plea to the public to pray for his full recovery.

This deadly incident comes amid escalating tensions along the northern border. The Israeli military had planned a stronger response to what it viewed as a blatant violation of ceasefire agreements, but according to Lebanese media, the United States intervened to limit Israel's reaction to avoid disrupting ongoing negotiations. Communities across Israel, especially in Karmiel, are deeply shaken and continue to pray for the wounded soldiers’ swift recovery.