The Israel Defense Forces confirmed Friday that four of its soldiers were killed during a combat incident in southern Lebanon, including Lt. Col. Dor Ben Shimhon, the commander of Battalion 52. Investigators are working to determine whether the tank carrying the soldiers was struck by a planted explosive device or an explosive drone deployed by Hezbollah terrorists.
IDF Spokesman Brig. Gen. Effie Defrin stated that the battalion commander’s tank was hit at around 12:30 a.m. The cause of the strike has not yet been officially determined, and the investigation remains ongoing. The identities of the three other soldiers who died in the incident have not been cleared for public release.
Ben Shimhon had taken command of Battalion 52 on April 20, 2026, roughly a week after the unit’s previous commander was seriously injured in combat. He had led the battalion through two months of active fighting before his death.
Ben Shimhon was married and the father of two daughters. He came from a family deeply rooted in military service — he and four of his brothers served in the 401st Brigade, while another brother served in the Golani Brigade. His wife is also an active-duty combat officer serving in the Combat Intelligence Collection and Border Defense Corps.
Defrin also disclosed that at approximately 4 a.m., an explosive drone struck a Commando Brigade task force, wounding five soldiers, including an officer.
The IDF spokesman noted that Hezbollah continues to violate the existing agreement, and that Israeli forces are maintaining freedom of action in the Yellow Line area. He added that the military stands ready at any moment to resume intensive operations in both Lebanon and Iran.
According to Defrin, Israeli forces struck 30 targets prior to the battalion commander’s death, and an additional 70 targets were hit by air and ground forces in the aftermath.
