Two Israeli reservists were killed and four others seriously wounded during a military operation in southern Lebanon on Wednesday, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced on Thursday. The fatalities were identified as Maj. (res.) Harel Birenstock, 34, from the West Bank settlement Nokdim, and Sgt. Maj. (res.) Tamir Vaknin, 33, from the southern city of Eilat. Both served in the 285th Battalion of the 55th Reserve Paratroopers Brigade.
The incident occurred in Majdal Zoun, an area in southern Lebanon that had not been inspected by the IDF since Hezbollah fighters withdrew earlier in March. According to the IDF, the troops entered a booby-trapped building which exploded shortly after their arrival, causing part of the structure to collapse. Birenstock and Vaknin were among those trapped under the rubble; despite rescue efforts, both soldiers succumbed to their injuries. Four additional soldiers were seriously wounded in the blast and evacuated for medical care. Rambam Medical Center reported that the condition of the wounded soldiers remained serious, though one had regained consciousness by Thursday afternoon.
Birenstock, a company commander, was a married father of four, including a six-month-old baby. Vaknin served as a combat soldier in the same battalion. Both men were recognized by Defense Minister Israel Katz for their repeated commitment to reserve duty. Katz extended condolences to their families, emphasizing their dedication to the security of Israel and its northern residents.
Following the explosion, the IDF launched a series of airstrikes in southern Lebanon targeting sites it identified as Hezbollah weapons storage facilities and command centers, primarily near the village of Mansouri. Israeli forces also issued evacuation orders for residents in Mansouri ahead of the strikes. Lebanese health authorities reported that eight people were wounded overnight during the Israeli strikes. Additionally, Lebanon’s news agency documented that an Israeli drone carried out three strikes on Burj al-Shamali, followed by a fourth airstrike by Israeli warplanes on the same location.
The flare-up follows recent tensions in the region, including the killing of an Israeli captain in late June during operations involving Hezbollah. On Wednesday, the Lebanese Health Ministry reported at least one civilian death and a dozen injuries in an Israeli strike on the town of Tibnin, located approximately 25 kilometers from Mansouri.
These hostilities come amid ongoing security arrangements and negotiations between Israel and Lebanon. Talks brokered by the United States have been underway in Rome since Tuesday, aimed at reducing border tensions after a June agreement intended to ease hostilities. The IDF highlighted its recent operations that uncovered and dismantled thousands of Hezbollah infrastructure sites throughout southern Lebanon, encompassing command posts and operational positions.
The situation reflects a continued volatile security environment along the Israel-Lebanon border, with both sides maintaining vigilance amid efforts to enforce cease-fires and reduce clashes in the disputed zone.