IDF Officer Killed in Southern Lebanon Amid Ongoing Clashes with Hezbollah

An Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) officer was killed during combat with Hezbollah in southern Lebanon on Tuesday morning, the military announced. The officer, identified as Maj. (res.) Itamar Sapir, 27, from the West Bank settlement of Eli, served as a deputy company commander in the 551st Brigade’s 7008th unit. He is survived by his wife, Roee, their one-year-old son, Maayan, his parents, and brothers.

The incident occurred in the village of Qouza, where a Hezbollah operative fired at Israeli forces from inside a church. Following the exchange of fire, the IDF conducted strikes in the area targeting the operative.

Sapir's father-in-law, Erez, described him as someone who "always had a huge smile" and was "talented" with a "desire to do good in the world."

This marks the eighth IDF soldier killed in southern Lebanon since the ceasefire began on April 16, with the truce holding only partially as limited fighting continues daily. Sapir is the 21st Israeli soldier killed since hostilities with Hezbollah escalated amid the Iran war. A civilian contractor has also been killed in southern Lebanon.

Later on Tuesday, Hezbollah launched several drones from Lebanon, with one intercepted by the military, triggering sirens in several border communities. Another drone struck Israeli territory near the border, reportedly targeting soldiers and lightly wounding two people.

In response, the IDF struck more than 25 Hezbollah targets in southern Lebanon on Tuesday, including weapon depots, command centers, rocket launchers used in previous attacks, and other infrastructure. The military also targeted Hezbollah operatives in the Cristofani Ridge area, located several kilometers north of Mount Hermon.

Lebanon’s health ministry reported that one of the strikes killed at least 10 people, including three women and three children. "An Israeli airstrike on the town of Deir Qanun al-Nahr in the Tyre district resulted in an initial toll of 10 martyrs, including three children and three women, in addition to three wounded, including a child," the ministry said in a statement, calling it a "massacre."

The IDF did not immediately comment on the claim.

The military also issued evacuation warnings for 12 villages and towns in southern Lebanon ahead of airstrikes targeting Hezbollah. Residents of Toura, Nabatiyeh at-Tahta, Habboush, al-Bazouriyah, Tayr Debba, Kfar Houneh, Ain Qana, Libbaya, Jibshit, ash-Shehabiyah, Burj al-Shamali, and Houmine al-Faouqa were instructed to evacuate at least a kilometer away.

"Anyone present near Hezbollah operatives, facilities, or combat equipment is putting their life at risk," army spokesman Col. Avichay Adraee said, citing alleged ceasefire violations by the terror group.