Day before ceasefire: 7 soldiers killed in Lebanon
Anti-tank missile fired at infantry troops operating in Aita al-Shaab region in south; officer, three soldiers killed, 20 others injured. In eastern sector, just north of Metula, tank belonging to IDF reserve unit hit by mortar; officer killed, another seriously wounded. In another incident in eastern region, two reserve soldiers killed by anti-tank missile
In the village of Abu-Tawil, located in south Lebanon’s Aita- al-Shaab region, an anti-tank missile was fired at infantry troops; an officer and three soldiers were killed and 20 others were injured, three of them seriously, in the incident.
In Tel Nachs in the eastern sector, just north of Metula, a tank belonging to an IDF reserve unit was directly hit by a mortar; an officer was killed, another sustained serious injuries and two soldiers were lightly hurt.
Two reserve soldiers were killed in the village of Kantar in the eastern region, after being hit by an anti-tank missile fired at the force.
The seven casualties are:
- First Lieutenant Eliel Ben Yehuda, 24, of Kfar Tavor
- Sergeant Major Guy Chason, 24, of Moshav Naama
- First Lieutenant Tzur Zarhi, 27, of Moshav Nahalal
- Staff Sergeant Yaniv Sheinbrum, 24, of Mei Ami
- Sergeant Major Amitai Yaron, 44, of Zichron Yaacov
- Staff Sergeant Peter Ochotsky, 23, of Lod
- Sergeant First Class Elad Ram, 20, of Haifa
In another incident, an officer sustained serious injuries and four soldiers were lightly wounded during a rocket attack on an IDF outpost situated in a Western Galilee community.
The wounded soldiers were all evacuated to hospitals throughout the country.
'IDF in attack mode'
Meanwhile, five Hizbullah terrorists were killed during IDF activity in the village of el-Mantsuri, located in south Lebanon’s western sector. The IDF said forces also uncovered weapons caches in the village.
Infantry reservists operating in the village of al-Taybeh also uncovered a Hizbullah weapons cache; forces operating near the villages of Itron and Qunin spotted a Hizbullah mortar-launching cell; an IAF aircraft dispatched to the scene opened fire at the terrorists; one of them managed to escape to a nearby structure, but he too was struck by the aircraft.
“At this stage the forces are continuing to operate in attack mode in south Lebanon,” a senior Northern Command officer said. “Once we receive the ceasefire orders, the forces will position themselves in various outposts and wait for the international force to arrive in accordance with the UN Resolution.”
In the village of al-Taltin in the eastern sector IDF troops found numerous weapons, including RPGs, anti-tank missiles, explosive devices and assault rifles.
In the village of Randoria, also in the eastern sector, IDF forces found additional RPGs, mortars, anti-tank missiles, assault rifles and propaganda videos and computer equipment.
In the village of Itron, in south Lebanon’s western sector, reserve soldiers destroyed two rocket launchers; Hizbullah terrorists were struck by fire from the air and the ground as they were firing mortars from the village.
IDF forces also destroyed two rocket launchers near Tyre. Since Sunday afternoon the Air Force destroyed five long-range rocket launchers in Lebanon.
IAF aircraft struck targets in the Bekaa Valley area on Sunday night. Sources in Lebanon reported that seven civilians were killed in the attack and more than 30 were wounded.
Also on Sunday, the Air Force attacked more than 20 structures and 40 launching pads used by Hizbullah. The IDF said four vehicles and two groups of gunmen.
