2 IDF soldiers killed in southern Lebanon

The casualties included two soldiers who were seriously wounded and one officer who sustained moderate injuries.

By Vered Weiss, World Israel News

The Israel Defense Forces said Saturday that Hezbollah fired more than 50 rockets toward Israeli forces in southern Lebanon overnight, while Israeli troops continued operations in the Nabatieh area and struck dozens of Hezbollah targets that the military said violated the ceasefire agreement.

As fighting continued, the military released the names of two soldiers killed in separate combat incidents in southern Lebanon: Staff Sgt. Yoav Klein, 21, of Herzliya, and Staff Sgt. Nir Ben Ari, 21, of Kerem Maharal.

Klein, an armored corps soldier in Battalion 52 of the 401st “Iron Tracks” Brigade, was killed in an incident that also claimed the lives of Battalion 52 commander Lt. Col. Dor Gedalia Ben Shimhon and two additional soldiers whose names have not yet been cleared for publication.

Ben Ari, a fighter in the Maglan Unit of the Commando Brigade, was killed in a separate incident in which 13 other soldiers were wounded.

Ben Ari was due to celebrate his 22nd birthday in nine days and was expected to begin his discharge leave at the end of the month. He is survived by two brothers, Guy and Shay, and a sister, Shir.

Friends said he had recently purchased a ticket for a trip to Thailand planned for mid-August.

Manny Baruch, a close friend of the family told Walla that others suggested Ben Ari did not need to return to duty because he was close to completing his service. Ben Ari responded: “This is my team. I’m not leaving my team.”

Klein, a graduate of HaYovel High School and a former basketball player, is survived by his parents, Einat and Eran, and siblings Ido and Tamar.

Herzliya Mayor Yariv Fisher paid tribute to him, saying: “We will remember his smile, his way, and his tremendous sacrifice.”

The casualties included two soldiers who were seriously wounded and one officer who sustained moderate injuries. The injured troops were evacuated for medical treatment and their families were notified.

A senior IDF officer said Israeli forces continue to hold positions along the “yellow line” in southern Lebanon and are currently focused on operations around Nabatieh.

The officer said dozens of Hezbollah terrorists are surrounded in the area, which the military views as a key Hezbollah stronghold.

The military said overnight strikes targeted Hezbollah rocket-launching positions, weapons depots, command centers and terrorists.