Cleared for publication: A reserve soldier was killed, one was seriously injured and 18 were lightly hurt during harsh battles in the village of Aita al-Shaab in the western region in southern Lebanon.
The reserve soldier killed was later identified as Kyril Kashdan, 26, of Haifa.
Heavy exchanges of fire erupted in the village Saturday afternoon between Israel Defense Forces soldiers and Hizbuallh terrorists in the village.
The terrorists fired anti-tank missiles, which in recent days have caused great losses among IDF soldiers, causing the deaths of several fighters. One of the missiles hit a building from where the forces were operating, killing the reserve soldier and lightly wounding four troops.
- Heavy exchanges of fire erupted in the area, during which another soldier was severely wounded and 14 were lightly hurt. The injured were evacuated for medical treatment at the Rambam Medical Center in Haifa and the Nahriya hospital.
The IDF has been firmly fighting in the village in the past few days in an attempt to hit Hizbullah's infrastructure. According to reports, the village has been used in recent weeks as a site for launching many rockets at Israel.
During the fighting, the forces hit more than 30 terrorists. In total, IDF soldiers killed 400 Hizbullah terrorists in southern Lebanon since the onset of the fighting.
Earlier Saturday, it was cleared for publication that an IDF soldier was seriously injured after being hit by a mortar shell while standing on the Israeli side of the border.
The soldier was evacuated for medical treatment at the Nahariya hospital. He underwent surgery and his condition is stable. Another soldier was lightly injured in the incident and a third soldier suffered from shock.
Lebanese civilians warned
On Friday night, heavy battles took place in southern Lebanon. IDF soldier, Sergeant Or Shahar, 20, of Kibbutz Yad Mordechai, was killed after being hit by a mortar shell in the village of the Nabi al-Awadi, in the eastern region, north of Kibbutz Misgav Am.
After massive IDF operations in Tyre and the surrounding area, the army planned to target the town of Sidon directly north of Tyre. On Saturday afternoon the IDF called on residents of the area to evacuate their homes immediately and move north.
The IDF said they warned residents in attempt to avoid civilian casualties.
“For your own personal safety, read the message and act accordingly,” read flyers scattered in the area. “In your area criminal terrorist activity is being carried out in the firing of missiles towards Israel. The IDF will use full force against the terror gangs starting very soon. For your own safety, you must immediately leave the area and move north. Whoever stays endangers their lives. (Signed) The State of Israel.”