The Israeli army confirmed on Wednesday evening that six of its soldiers were killed in a confrontation in southern Lebanon.
According to “Yedioth Ahronoth,” the six soldiers were killed in a close-range encounter with Hezbollah fighters inside a building that had been shelled prior to the entry of forces from the 36th Division. The report added that the Israeli military believes the fighters emerged from a tunnel and later withdrew, with only one Hezbollah fighter reportedly killed in the clash.
Meanwhile, the Israeli Army Radio stated that the clashes lasted for three hours, from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m., highlighting that the evacuation of injured and deceased soldiers was complex. The army took time to understand the full picture of the incident, indicating the challenging nature of the operation.
The radio report further mentioned that the presence of a tunnel opening inside the building likely allowed Hezbollah fighters to evade injury despite the heavy shelling.
According to Israeli media outlets, the names of five of the fallen soldiers have been released following notification of their families:
• Captain Itay Markovich (22) from Kokhav Yair, a platoon commander in the 51st Battalion, Golani Brigade.
• Sergeant Saraya Albuim (21) from Mahula, a squad commander in the 51st Battalion, Golani Brigade.
• Sergeant Dror Hein (20) from Magen HaYom, a platoon sergeant in the 51st Battalion, Golani Brigade.
• Sergeant Nir Govar (20) from Dimona, a fighter in the 51st Battalion, Golani Brigade.
• Sergeant Shalev Yitzhak Sagron (21) from Sderot, a fighter in the 51st Battalion, Golani Brigade.
The names of the sixth soldier have not been disclosed yet as the family is still being notified.
This incident marks one of the deadliest clashes in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, highlighting the intensifying tension on the Lebanese border. The use of tunnels and close-quarters combat tactics by Hezbollah has added a significant challenge to Israeli military operations in the region.
