Ceasefire? Reservist killed by Hezbollah drone in northern Israel

Hezbollah drones are posing a growing challenge for Israeli forces along the Lebanese border.

By World Israel News Staff

An Israeli reservist was killed by an explosive drone launched by the Hezbollah terror group along the Lebanese border, the IDF announced in a statement Monday morning.

The fallen soldier was identified as Warrant Officer (res.) Alexander Glovanyov, 47, from the central Israeli city of Petah Tikva.

Glovanyov served as a driver in the Transport Center’s 6924th Battalion.

According to a preliminary IDF investigation, a fiber-optic drone launched by Hezbollah struck Glovanyov’s tank carrier while it was positioned on the Israeli side of the border.

An Army Radio report indicated that the drone entered Israeli airspace without being detected, meaning Glovanyov and the other soldiers did not receive advance warning before the strike.

Glovanyov is the fourth Israeli soldier killed since a ceasefire brokered by President Donald Trump between Israel and Lebanon came into effect April 16.

All of the soldiers killed since the ceasefire have died in drone attacks. However, while the previous fatalities occurred in southern Lebanon, Glovanyov is the first soldier to be killed during the truce by a Hezbollah drone strike on Israeli soil.

“My wife and I send our heartfelt condolences to the family of the late Alexander Glovanyov, who fell [in battle] near the Lebanese border,” Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a statement.

“Together with all citizens of Israel, we embrace the Glovanyov family and share in their deep sorrow.”

On Sunday evening, Hezbollah published a video purportedly showing one of its drones striking an Iron Dome battery near the Lebanese border, though it remains unclear whether the footage was filmed that day or several days earlier.

The growing use of drones has posed a major challenge to the IDF, particularly along the northern border. Some troops have reportedly begun purchasing simple protective nets themselves, draping them over military vehicles and outposts in an effort to reduce the threat posed by explosive drones.