IDF Names Tank Soldier Killed in Southern Lebanon Fighting

The IDF said Saturday evening that Sgt. Maj. Liav Kababia, 20, of Hod Hasharon, a tank fighter in Battalion 52 of the 401st “Iron Trails” Division, was killed in combat with Hezbollah militants in southern Lebanon. His family has been notified by IDF officers.

Kababia was killed in the same incident that left three other soldiers dead, Sgt. Maj. Yoav Klein, Lt. Col. Dor Gedalia Ben Shimhon, and one additional soldier whose name has not yet been cleared for publication. The army described it as one of the most difficult incidents in the fighting in southern Lebanon in recent days.

His death came amid intense continued fighting in southern Lebanon, as IDF forces press operations against Hezbollah terror infrastructure. The battles are taking place alongside political discussions over a possible ceasefire, but the IDF has said it opposes a ceasefire at this stage.

On Friday, the IDF had already announced the death of Battalion 52 commander Lt. Col. Dor Gedalia Ben Shimhon, 32, of Beit HaShita, who was killed in battle together with the three members of his tank crew. On Saturday evening, the names of Yoav Klein of Herzliya and Nir Ben Ari of Kerem Maharal were also released. According to reports, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz ordered forces on the ground to stop firing in Lebanon, a move that angered many troops. Military correspondent Yossi Yehoshua said the instruction came in the afternoon while IDF troops were close to one of Hezbollah’s important command centers in the Litani area, calling it “the nerve center of Hezbollah in that area.”