An Israeli reserve soldier lost his life and three others sustained injuries Friday when an explosive went off during a weapons search mission in southern Lebanon, just 24 hours after a ceasefire agreement between the two nations began.
Israeli military officials identified the deceased as Warrant Officer (res.) Barak Kalfon, age 48, who served with the 226th Reserve Paratroopers Brigade’s 7056th Battalion and lived in Adi. Preliminary military reports indicate the explosion happened while soldiers were examining a structure for weapons in the village of Al-Jibbain, and the device was not triggered from a distance.
Thursday’s ceasefire agreement requires Israel to avoid military operations unless under attack, while maintaining its authority to defend against threats.
Saturday brought additional developments when Israeli forces from the 401st Armored Brigade reported encountering what they described as “a cell of terrorists that violated the ceasefire understandings and approached the forces in a manner that posed an immediate threat, during their activity in southern Lebanon, south of the forward defense line area used to prevent a direct threat to northern communities.”
Military officials also announced they targeted a tunnel entrance after witnessing Hezbollah fighters emerging from the location.
In a separate development, Axios news outlet reported that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed surprise at President Donald Trump’s social media statement claiming Israel was “prohibited” from attacking Hezbollah. Trump posted on Truth Social: “Israel will not be bombing Lebanon any longer. They are PROHIBITED from doing so by the U.S.A. Enough is enough!!!”
The post led Israel to request clarification from the White House over concerns it contradicted the ceasefire terms. Speaking with Axios, Trump maintained his position, stating: “Israel has to stop. They can’t continue to blow buildings up. I am not gonna allow it.”
A U.S. official subsequently clarified that policy remained unchanged, explaining: “The President’s ceasefire agreement between Lebanon and Israel clearly states that Israel will not carry out any offensive military operations against Lebanese targets but preserves its right to self-defense against planned, imminent or ongoing attacks.”
