An IDF reservist soldier was killed after an explosive device detonated in southern Lebanon on Saturday.
Sergeant First Class (res.) Lidor Porat, 31, from Ashdod, died in the incident in which another soldier was left severely wounded.
A D-9 bulldozer operated by a unit from the 769th Brigade hit an IED which had been planted by Hezbollah near the town of Kfar Kila.
Four other soldiers were moderately wounded and a further four left with light injuries.
All were evacuated by helicopter and their families have been notified.
The Hezbollah stronghold in Kfar Kila had been eradicated in fighting in 2024.
It is not known whether the IED had been left over from then or was recently placed there, and the army in now investigating to establish the facts, according to Israel’s Channel 14.
The army is investigating whether the explosive dated from that period or was recently placed there, Israel’s Channel 14 reported.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu today said: “My wife and I, together with all the citizens of Israel, share in the heavy grief and extend our deepest condolences to the family of Sgt. First Class (res.) Lidor Porat, of blessed memory, who fell in battle in Southern Lebanon.
“I wish a swift and full recovery to our soldiers who were wounded in the difficult incident. Together with his comrades, Lidor fought bravely to defend our communities and our citizens – and this is how we will continue to act.”
The funeral was set to take place today of Warrant Officer (res.) Barak Kalfon, who was killed in southern Lebanon on Friday.
The father of two from the northern Israeli town of Adi in northern Israel was 48 years old.
Two other soldiers suffered moderate injuries in the same incident while another was lightly wounded.
Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz paid tribute, saying: “Barak was a courageous and devoted fighter and a model family man.”
Prime Minister Netanyahu offered his condolences to Kalfon’s family and wished the injured a “speedy recovery”.
To get more news, click here to sign up for our free daily newsletter.