Six Israeli soldiers were killed in a fierce clash with Hezbollah forces in southern Lebanon, the IDF announced Wednesday. The incident occurred as Israeli troops advanced deeper into the region, expanding their ground operation against Hezbollah, which began in late September.
The fallen soldiers, all from the Golani Brigade’s 51st Battalion, were identified as Cpt. Itay Marcovich, 22; Staff Sgt. Sraya Elboim, 21; Staff Sgt. Dror Hen, 20; Staff Sgt. Nir Gofer, 20; Sgt. Shalev Itzhak Sagron, 21; and Sgt. Yoav Daniel, 19.
According to the IDF, the soldiers were killed during an exchange of fire with at least four Hezbollah operatives inside a building in a southern Lebanese village. The Hezbollah fighters were all later killed in the confrontation. At least one other Israeli soldier was moderately wounded.
This clash marks one of the heaviest single-day losses for the IDF since the operation’s escalation. It is the second deadliest day, following the deaths of eight soldiers in an October 2 attack. Despite the ongoing violence, officials remain cautiously optimistic about the prospects for ceasefire talks.
