Four IDF Soldiers Killed by Explosive Drone Strike in Southern Lebanon

The IDF said Friday morning that four soldiers were killed Thursday night when an explosive drone hit in the village of Tebnine in southern Lebanon. Among the dead was Lt. Col. Dor Gedalia Ben Shimhon, 32, commander of Battalion 52 in the Iron Tracks Division, who was killed with the three other tank crew members under his command.

The army said the incident came amid what it described as repeated Hezbollah violations of the ceasefire. In response, the IDF carried out very heavy fire overnight in the Tebnine area and other parts of southern Lebanon, including airstrikes and artillery fire against militants and Hezbollah terror infrastructure in several locations. The military said it was continuing to strike throughout the night.

The IDF told residents in northern border communities that it had gone through “a very difficult night” with “serious violations” of the ceasefire by Hezbollah, forcing a strong response. It added that the strikes would continue and explosions could still be heard across the area, but there was no change at that time in civilian home-front defense instructions.

Ben Shimhon took command of Battalion 52 on April 20, 2026, about a week after the previous commander was badly wounded in combat. The IDF said he had led the unit with determination during two months of fighting, had served most of his career in the Armored Corps’ 401st Brigade, was married, and was the father of two daughters. His wife serves as a combat officer in the Intelligence Collection and Border Corps. The report also said the deadly incident comes during a sensitive diplomatic period, with U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance postponing a planned trip to Switzerland for talks with Iran, and with Israeli security officials saying the army will keep holding the security zone as needed while remaining on high alert.