International

Six Israeli Soldiers Killed In Southern Lebanon Clash

Published

9 hours ago

Nov 14, 2024.

Dennis

Six Israeli soldiers were killed in clashes with Hezbollah forces on Wednesday, according to the IDF, as Israeli troops intensified their push deeper into southern Lebanon amid escalating violence. This clash occurred as the IDF expanded its ground operations into a second line of villages near the border, marking one of the heaviest single-day losses in the campaign launched in late September against Hezbollah.

The fallen soldiers were identified as:

Cpt. Itay Marcovich, 22, from Kohav Ya’ir
Staff Sgt. Sraya Elboim, 21, from Mehola
Staff Sgt. Dror Hen, 20, from Gan Haim
Staff Sgt. Nir Gofer, 20, from Dimona
Sgt. Shalev Itzhak Sagron, 21, from Sderot
Sgt. Yoav Daniel, 19, from Nahariya

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They all served in the IDF’s Golani Brigade 51st Battalion, and an initial probe indicated they were killed in an exchange with four Hezbollah operatives in a southern Lebanese village. All Hezbollah members involved in the clash were eventually killed, according to Israeli reports.

This marked the second deadliest day in the IDF’s current operation after eight soldiers were killed on October 2. Israel has committed to pushing Hezbollah away from its northern border to restore security for communities that have been under frequent rocket and drone attacks, prompting the evacuation of around 60,000 residents.

In parallel, Israeli fighter jets conducted strikes against Hezbollah targets in Beirut’s southern suburbs, warning civilians to evacuate certain areas before the attacks. The targets reportedly included weapons depots and a command center. New evacuation orders were later issued for civilians near two buildings in these suburbs. Maps were shared by IDF spokesperson Col. Avichay Adraee, advising civilians to keep at least 500 meters from these sites.

Additionally, Syrian state media reported Israeli strikes in Homs province, which Israel confirmed, saying they targeted border routes used by Hezbollah’s Unit 4400 for weapons smuggling from Iran into Lebanon. The strikes reportedly damaged bridges on the Orontes River and other transport routes, dealing a significant blow to Hezbollah’s logistics.

Meanwhile, Hezbollah continued to escalate its response, launching rockets and drones into northern and central Israel. It claimed responsibility for attacks on high-profile sites, including the IDF headquarters and an arms manufacturer in Tel Aviv, using ballistic missiles and explosive drones, although the IDF reported intercepting two drones in northern Israel and five rockets from Lebanon, with some rockets intercepted and others hitting the ground without immediate reports of damage or casualties.