Two Israeli reserve soldiers were killed and four others were seriously wounded on Wednesday when an explosive device detonated during an operation in the southern Lebanese village of Majdal Zoun, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said on Thursday.
The soldiers were identified as Maj. Harel Birnshtok, commander of Company A in the 2855th Reserve Battalion of the 55th Paratroopers Brigade, and Master Sgt. (Res.) Tamir Vaknin, a combat medic in the same company.
Booby-Trapped Building
The incident occurred at around noon during an operation to clear the village, where Israeli forces have been conducting security operations for several months.
Initial reports indicated that an engineering vehicle had triggered an explosive device. The IDF later said the blast occurred after troops entered a building that had been booby-trapped with explosives.
The four wounded soldiers were evacuated to Rambam Medical Center in Haifa for treatment.
IDF Blames Hezbollah
The Israeli military described the explosion as a "blatant violation" of the ceasefire agreement by Hezbollah. It said it was still unclear whether the explosive device had been planted before or after the ceasefire came into effect.
In response, Israeli fighter jets struck what the military described as Hezbollah military infrastructure in southern Lebanon, including weapons depots and operational facilities allegedly used by the Iran-backed group.
Retaliatory Strikes Continue
The IDF also carried out strikes in the nearby village of Al-Mansouri after issuing an Arabic-language evacuation warning to residents, saying Hezbollah's ceasefire violations had forced Israel to act.
Lebanese media affiliated with Hezbollah reported additional Israeli airstrikes overnight on Al-Mansouri and Burj al-Shamali near the coastal city of Tyre. The reports said several people were wounded in drone strikes, while Israeli artillery also shelled the Ali al-Taher ridge in southern Lebanon.
Israeli officials described the strikes as measured, although discussions were continuing within Israel's political leadership over whether to authorize a broader military response.
Strategic Area
Majdal Zoun is located in the western sector of the Israeli-controlled security zone south of the Blue Line.
During the war, the IDF said it uncovered a large underground Hezbollah complex and a drone base known as "The Fortress," where it said Iranian-made unmanned aerial systems and large quantities of explosives had been stored.
Israeli forces have continued operating in the area in an effort to locate additional weapons caches, dismantle Hezbollah infrastructure and eliminate remaining threats.
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