IDF Announces Deaths of 5 Soldiers in Lebanon; Toll Rises to 43

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said five soldiers from the Golani Brigade’s reconnaissance unit were killed during ongoing operations in southern Lebanon.

The soldiers were all between 21 and 24 years of age. In addition to the fatalities, another officer and two soldiers from the unit were seriously injured. Israeli officials confirmed that Golani Brigade soldiers managed to capture several Hezbollah operatives during the battle that claimed the lives of the five soldiers. Meanwhile, a separate attack on an Etzioni Brigade unit using an anti-tank missile left an officer and two combat engineers seriously injured.

Multiple soldiers have sustained injuries in similar engagements in southern Lebanon in recent weeks as Hezbollah continues its attacks. Hezbollah has increased its daily rocket attacks on northern Israel in retaliation for Israel’s military campaign in Gaza, which began after a deadly Hamas attack on Israeli civilians on October 7, 2023.

Hezbollah, an Iran-backed militant group, has declared a "new and escalatory phase" in its war against Israel, employing precision-guided missiles for the first time. The group said these weapons are now targeting Israeli troops along the northern border. A Hezbollah statement warned that “hundreds of fighters are fully prepared” to repel Israeli ground incursions into Lebanese villages, signaling an escalation in the conflict.

Hezbollah’s legislative representative, Hassan Fadlallah, reiterated the group's commitment to continued resistance against Israeli forces. Fadlallah said Hezbollah’s goal is to prevent Israel from achieving its objectives in Lebanon, which include halting rocket fire and facilitating the return of 60,000 northern Israeli residents displaced by the conflict.

As the conflict intensifies, both sides have reported heavy casualties.

The IDF says 43 soldiers have been killed in northern operations, while Hezbollah claims Israeli strikes have resulted in the deaths of more than 2,400 people in Lebanon, including 960 Hezbollah fighters. Lebanon has faced weeks of aerial bombardment, which Lebanese authorities report has resulted in over 2,300 deaths and displaced more than 1.2 million people from their homes.

On Oct. 7, Hamas-led militants killed approximately 1,200 people, mostly civilians, in southern Israel and took around 250 hostages, with about 100 still held, around 65 of whom are believed to be alive. In retaliation, Israel's offensive has reportedly killed over 41,000 Palestinians, according to the Gaza Health Ministry, which states that more than half of the deceased were women and children. The Israeli military claims to have killed over 17,000 militants but has not provided evidence.

In what looks like a new front in the Israel-Hamas war, gunmen infiltrating from Jordan shot and injured two Israelis near Moshav Neot HaKikar in the southern Dead Sea area. The assailants, dressed in military uniforms, opened fire on Israeli soldiers before being stopped by IDF forces. Magen David Adom emergency services confirmed two Israeli injuries. Police reported that the attackers were attempting to enter Neot HaKikar but were intercepted by both the army and the community's security team. Authorities are searching for a potential third infiltrator. Residents have been instructed to remain indoors as the search continues.