Reserve Soldier Alexander Filin Killed in Lebanon Was Once Celebrated for Stopping a Stabbing Attack

Reserve Master Sgt. Alexander Filin, 29, from Haifa, was killed on Wednesday in fighting in southern Lebanon. In the same sector, the deputy commander of the 36th Division was moderately wounded by an explosive device, along with another officer who commands a reserve battalion in Logistics Corps 556. The incident took place around 5:00 p.m. near the Litani area, during foot operations, and an initial inquiry says the blast was likely caused by an enemy explosive. Following the attack, artillery struck terrorist infrastructure in the area.

Filin’s death prompted a striking reminder of an interview published 10 years ago, after he became known for bravery as a regular soldier. At age 19, shortly after finishing basic training and four and a half years after immigrating from Ukraine to Israel, he was serving in Battalion 932 of the Nahal Brigade when he encountered a stabbing attempt at a checkpoint at the entrance to Nablus. He killed the assailant after the attacker jumped from a car and lunged at his fellow soldier with a knife.

In the 2016 interview with Walla, Filin described how the vehicle came from the direction of Nablus, slammed into a concrete barrier about 30 meters from the checkpoint, and at first appeared to be a traffic accident. He said the attacker then got out and tried to stab his friend, forcing Filin to move into position, kick the assailant back, and try to ready his weapon under pressure. After failing the first time to chamber it, he kicked again, managed to load, fired, saw the attacker try to rise with the knife, and fired a second time. He said the soldiers then alerted all forces and handled the scene.

Filin said at the time that what happened was hard to process because it was his first operational incident after basic training, but that his role was to protect civilians. He added that he felt more alert after the attack, but did not see himself as a hero. “I don’t feel like a hero, I know this is the job, this is why I enlisted,” he said. “That is why I came to Israel, to be part of everyone.”