4 soldiers killed in Lebanon
IDF’s nightmare in south Lebanon – Hizbullah’s anti-tank weapons – assault 74th Battalion: During operations in village of Rajmin 4 km into Lebanon, Merkava tank absorbs deadly strike. Two soldiers killed, two air-lifted with severe burns to hospital, where one later dies of his wounds; another soldier killed in evening by anti-tank missile in al-Taibeh village. Thirteen Hizbullah members killed in fighting
An IDF soldier was killed Thursday evening by an anti-tank missile in the Lebanese village of al-Taibeh in the eastern district of southern Lebanon. The soldier has been named as SergeantYonatan Sharabi, 19, of Petah Tikva.
Earleir three IDF soldiers were killed and another was severely wounded when Hizbullah operatives fired an anti-tank missile at their Merkava tank.
The three soldiers killed in the tank were named as Sergeant Andrei Brudner (18) of Rishon Letzion, Sergeant Itamar Tsur (19) of Beer Tuvia and Sergeant Alon Fintuch (19) of Kiryat Yam.
The event occurred in the village of Rajmin in southwest Lebanon, about four kilometers into Lebanese territory. The soldiers were from the 74th Battalion, Tank Brigade 188, which at the time of the operation was under the command of Reserves Brigade 609, which joined the fighting Wednesday.
The casualties were occupants of a Merkava tank that was hit by an anti-tank missile during operations in the area. Two soldiers died in the strike, while the two wounded troops, who suffered severe burns, were air-lifted to Rambam Hospital in Haifa; one of them later died of his wounds.
Thirteen Hizbullah members were killed Thursday by reserve units in the south Lebanon’s western district. IDF sources said forces discovered missiles, mortars and maps in a Hizbullah structure.
Hizbullah’s anti-tank weapons are one of the most complex problems facing IDF troops in south Lebanon. In the past few years, Hizbullah has equipped itself with missile systems and other means against Israeli tanks, which are among the most advanced in the world. The terror group possesses “Fagot” and “Cornet” missiles with tandem warheads that can neutralize tank shields and destroy even the IDF’s advanced tanks.
More troops deploy to Lebanon
Thursday more Israeli troops entered Lebanese territory, where they will operate to locate weapons and eliminate Hizbullah terror cells from southern villages. Thousands of standing army and reserves soldiers – more than six brigades – were already operating in the territory.
Forces operated in roughly twenty villages simultaneously. Numerous violent confrontations erupted between Hizbullah fighters and IDF soldiers.
In one incident reserve troops killed four terrorists, and in another soldiers destroyed two anti-tank devices.
Ahiya Raved contributed to the report