Four IDF soldiers were killed during combat in southern Lebanon, the military said, as fighting continues along the northern border.
The fallen soldiers were identified as Capt. Noam Madmoni, 22, from Sderot, a team commander in the Nahal Reconnaissance Battalion; Staff Sgt. Ben Cohen, 21, from Lehavim; and Staff Sgt. Maxsim Entis, 21, from Bat Yam. All served in the Nahal Reconnaissance Battalion (934th) of the Nahal Brigade. The name of the fourth soldier has not yet been cleared for publication.
The IDF said one additional soldier was seriously wounded, while another soldier and a reservist were moderately injured. All were evacuated to a hospital for treatment, and their families were notified.
The incident occurred on Monday at around 6:30 p.m. during a close-range encounter with terrorists in the western sector of southern Lebanon, as part of operations against Hezbollah.
According to the military, troops identified terrorist cells and engaged them at close range. Israeli forces returned fire and hits were identified, with the terrorists killed.
During the evacuation of the wounded, terrorists fired an anti-tank missile toward the troops, which caused no additional casualties. Israeli forces responded with tank fire and airstrikes.
The Nahal Brigade is operating under the 162nd Division as part of efforts to establish operational control in southern Lebanon.