Israeli military officials confirmed that four soldiers died during fierce fighting with Hezbollah militants in southern Lebanon Monday evening, as border operations continue in the region.
Military authorities have identified three of the deceased service members as Captain Noam Madmoni, age 22, from Sderot; Staff Sergeant Ben Cohen, age 21, from Lehavim; and Staff Sergeant Maxsim Entis, age 21, from Bat Yam. All three belonged to the Nahal Brigade’s Reconnaissance Unit. Officials have not yet disclosed the identity of the fourth fallen soldier.
Military investigators report the confrontation took place Monday evening in southern Lebanon’s western region, where reconnaissance troops spotted a group of Hezbollah fighters. The Israeli soldiers confronted the militants in close-quarters combat, opening fire and striking multiple targets.
The firefight resulted in four Israeli fatalities. Three other soldiers sustained injuries – one critically wounded, with another soldier and a reservist suffering moderate wounds. Medical teams transported all injured personnel to hospitals, and military officials contacted the families of those affected.
As troops worked to remove the wounded from the battlefield, Hezbollah forces launched an anti-tank missile at Israeli positions. Military sources say the missile strike caused no further casualties.
Israeli forces retaliated with tank bombardments and aerial attacks against Hezbollah positions in the surrounding area.
The military stated that troops located and confronted terrorist groups as part of continuing missions in southern Lebanon. The Nahal Brigade operates within the 162nd Division’s command structure during efforts to gain military control of the border zone.
