In memory of Ori Danino, an IDF soldier kidnapped during the October 7 massacre and murdered after months in Hamas captivity in Gaza, his mother enlisted and graduated from the IDF to honor his name.

The post WATCH: Mother of killed hostage graduates from IDF in memory of her son appeared first on World Israel News.

According to initial reports, the soldiers were killed in Kfar Tebnit when an explosive drone struck the battalion commander’s tank.

By JNS

Four Israel Defense Forces soldiers were killed overnight during fighting in Southern Lebanon, the military announced on Friday, in what appears to have been a Hezbollah drone strike targeting a tank.

The IDF identified one of the slain men as Lt. Col. Dor Gedalia Ben Simhon, 32, from Kibbutz Beit HaShita, commander of the 52nd “The Breachers” Battalion in the 401st “Iron Tracks” Brigade.

Ben Simhon took up his post two months ago, after his predecessor was wounded. He leaves behind a wife and two daughters.

The names of the three other soldiers killed in the attack have not yet been cleared for publication. Their families have been notified.

According to initial reports, the soldiers were killed in Kfar Tebnit when an explosive drone struck the battalion commander’s tank.

The incident marked a significant escalation along the northern border and underscored continuing tensions despite the ceasefire arrangements between Israel and Lebanon.

The attack was one of the most serious Hezbollah violations of the ceasefire in recent months, military sources said.

Israeli officials said the drone strike on the battalion commander’s tank left the IDF with no choice but to respond forcefully against Hezbollah infrastructure in Southern Lebanon.

Following the attack, the IDF launched extensive strikes across Southern Lebanon targeting Hezbollah positions and infrastructure.

The incident also appeared to have broader diplomatic repercussions. Iran canceled a planned delegation trip to Switzerland for talks related to the recently signed U.S.-Iran Memorandum of Understanding, reportedly citing Israeli military operations in Lebanon as a violation of the MoU.

The cancellation came after the White House announced that U.S. Vice President JD Vance had postponed his own trip to Switzerland, where technical talks on implementing the agreement had been expected to begin.

The IDF has not yet released additional details about the circumstances of the attack or the identities of the other three soldiers.

Ben Simhon is the latest senior officer to fall during Israel’s ongoing military operations against Hezbollah in Southern Lebanon.

The military said further information would be released as it becomes available.

The post Four IDF soldiers KIA in Hezbollah drone strike in southern Lebanon appeared first on World Israel News.

According to the IDF, the incident occurred during operations in southern Lebanon when explosive devices were activated against troops.

By Pesach Benson, TPS

An Israeli soldier was killed in Lebanon when an improvised explosive device (IED) struck a vehicle during combat, it was cleared for publication on Thursday morning.

The Israel Defense Forces identified him as Master Sergeant (Res.) Alexander Filin, 29, from Haifa, who served in the headquarters of the IDF’s 36th Division.

Seven additional IDF soldiers were injured in the incident, including the deputy commander of the 36th Division, a colonel.

Three soldiers were moderately injured and four sustained light injuries. All were evacuated for medical treatment.

According to the IDF, the incident occurred during operations in southern Lebanon when explosive devices were activated against troops.

Four soldiers were wounded by shrapnel from the initial blast and evacuated.

A short time later, another explosion struck an evacuation vehicle, injuring another soldier.

Earlier on Wednesday, the Iran-backed Hezbollah launched explosive-laden drones toward Israeli forces and an evacuation team, injuring five soldiers, including one who was seriously wounded.

In response to the attacks, IDF forces carried out artillery strikes against Hezbollah infrastructure in the area.

The post Israeli soldier killed, seven injured in Hezbollah attack appeared first on World Israel News.

Israel’s Ambassador to the United States Yechiel Leiter pushed back against accusations leveled against Israel, saying his son — who fell in combat during operations against Hamas in Gaza — would still be alive if Israel had actually done what it was accused of.

“My son would be alive today if what we’re accused of, we actually did” – Ambassador @yechielleiter

Fact by fact. Claim by claim. Our team has laid out the truth in clear, accessible language – dismantling the narratives that have taken root in newsrooms, on campuses, and… pic.twitter.com/4kmrf1guZR

— Embassy of Israel to the USA (@IsraelinUSA) June 15, 2026

The post WATCH: ‘My son would still be alive if we did what we are accused of,’ says Amb. Leiter appeared first on World Israel News.

By Hezy Laing

IDF Captain Shahar Gamla, 23, made the ultimate sacrifice after being critically injured by an explosive drone in southern Lebanon.

Following his tragic passing at Rambam Hospital in Haifa, his grieving family generously chose to donate his organs.

This heroic decision gave a second chance at life to six critically ill patients.

A Legacy of Life-Saving Generosity

The successful transplants took place across several Israeli medical centers.

Gamla’s heart and lungs were transplanted into a 54-year-old and a 47-year-old at Rabin Medical Center-Beilinson Campus.

Further life-saving surgeries took place at Schneider Children’s Medical Center and various other hospitals, providing transplants to recipients ranging from a seven-year-old girl who received a portion of his liver, to adults up to age 72.

His corneas and skin tissue were also donated to restore vision and treat severe burns.

Deep Roots and Bravery

Captain Gamla was a resident of the central Israeli city of Lod.

Before and during his military service, he was deeply committed to helping others and embodied a spirit of deep selflessness.

In the wake of his passing, his mother remarked that there was “nothing greater than organ donation leaving Shahar to live in other people”.

Through this profound act of love and compassion, Gamla continues to bring hope to families across Israel.

A Growing Movement

In recent years, Israel has seen a significant surge in organ donations during times of national tragedy.

Families of fallen soldiers and victims of terror have repeatedly turned their unimaginable grief into a beacon of life for strangers, significantly raising the consent rate for organ donation across the country.

The post IDF soldier killed in Lebanon donates organs to six patients appeared first on World Israel News.

The slain soldier had dreamed of serving in an elite IDF combat unit since his teens.

By World Israel News Staff

An Israeli soldier serving in an elite commando unit was killed and three of his comrades were wounded by an explosive drone launched by Hezbollah near Beaufort Castle in southern Lebanon, a strategic position recently captured by the Israeli military.

The fallen soldier was identified as Staff Sgt. Adam Tzarfati, 20, of Rosh HaAyin in central Israel. Tzarfati served in the elite Unit 212 Maglan reconnaissance force.

According to a preliminary IDF investigation, Tzarfati’s unit had left the vicinity of Beaufort Castle and was operating on a nearby ridge near the village of Yochmor when it was targeted by an explosive drone launched by Hezbollah.

Tzarfati’s bereaved mother, Mali, told Hebrew-language outlet Ynet that her son was “a beloved child, adored by both family and friends.”

She added that he was a boy “full of life and love,” and that his death was a “loss to the world.”

Tzarfati’s father, Shai, said his son had dreamed of becoming a combat soldier in the IDF since the age of 15.

He noted that Tzarfati enlisted just two weeks after graduating from high school.

His acceptance into the elite commando unit was “the happiest day of his life,” his father said.

“Tzarfati fought with courage and heroism to defend our cities and towns against the Hezbollah terrorist organization,” Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a statement eulogizing the fallen soldier.

“We share in his family’s profound grief and pray for the full recovery of our wounded from this difficult incident.”

Tzarfati is the 13th Israeli service member killed since the implementation of a Trump administration-brokered ceasefire in mid-April.

Since the ceasefire took effect, 13 soldiers and one civilian Defense Ministry contractor working in southern Lebanon have been killed.

Tzarfati’s death came just one day after another soldier, Michael Tyukin, was killed in an explosive drone attack.

The post Israeli commando killed, 3 others wounded in southern Lebanon appeared first on World Israel News.

The late Sgt. Michael Tyukin immigrated to Israel from Ukraine just six years ago, alongside his mother.

By World Israel News Staff

An Israeli soldier was killed in southern Lebanon by an explosive drone launched by the Hezbollah terror group on Saturday night, leaving behind a mother who has now lost her only child.

The fallen soldier was identified by the IDF as Sgt. Michael Tyukin, 20.

Tyukin, who served in the Givati Brigade, was a resident of the southern port city of Ashkelon.

According to a preliminary IDF investigation, an armored vehicle carrying Tyukin during a routine patrol in southern Lebanon was struck by an explosive drone at approximately 10:30 p.m. on Saturday.

Tyukin was killed in the blast, while four other soldiers were wounded.

Tyukin immigrated to Israel with his mother, Yekaterina Krylov, just six years ago after fleeing Ukraine.

He was her only child, leaving her without immediate family following his death.

In a statement mourning the fallen soldier, Defense Minister Israel Katz praised Tyukin’s dedication to the country.

“Michael immigrated to Israel from Ukraine with his mother only six years ago. He chose to tie his fate to the fate of the State of Israel, enlisted in meaningful combat service, and became a symbol of Zionism, dedication and love of the country,” Katz said.

“I send my deepest condolences to his mother, family and friends, and pray for the full recovery of the four soldiers wounded in the incident. May his memory be blessed.”

Ashkelon Mayor Tomer Glam noted that Tyukin was his mother’s only child and pledged that the municipality would do everything possible to support Krylov during what he described as an unimaginably difficult period.

The attack is the latest in a series of deadly Hezbollah drone strikes targeting Israeli forces operating near the Lebanese border.

Tyukin is the 13th Israeli soldier killed since the implementation of a ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon brokered by the Trump administration in mid-April.

The post ‘His mother’s only child’ – IDF soldier slain in Lebanon drone blast appeared first on World Israel News.

The 20-year-old soldier died while attempting to reach a bomb shelter during the attack.

By World Israel News Staff

Israel Defense Forces Sgt. Rotem Yanai, a welfare officer in the Givati Brigade, was killed in northern Israel by an explosive drone launched by the Hezbollah terror group, the IDF announced in a statement.

Yanai, 20, was from the northern Israeli town of Givat Ada. She is survived by her parents, Hilit and Tal, and her two brothers, Dor and Aviad.

Her aunt, Meital Ansbacher, said the family had already endured severe trauma after one of Yanai’s brothers was wounded during the Hamas-led October 7 massacres.

The family “thought the worst had already happened, and then yesterday the absolute worst happened,” Ansbacher said.

Speaking about her niece, she described Yanai as a “radiant, smiling girl, positive, and always surrounded by friends.”

According to a preliminary IDF investigation, Yanai was killed after the drone struck a building inside a military compound near the border community of Shomera.

At the time of the attack, Yanai was rushing toward a bomb shelter but did not manage to reach it before the explosion.

The blast that killed Yanai also wounded two reservists, one of them seriously.

Yanai is the 12th Israeli soldier killed since a ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon brokered by President Donald Trump was announced in mid-April.

She is also the 24th Israeli fatality since the outbreak of the U.S.-Israel war against Iran, which began in late February.

The attack came amid a continuing wave of Hezbollah drone strikes targeting Israeli forces along the northern border.

Earlier this week, Sgt. Nahorai Laizer, 19, from Eilat and a soldier in the Combat Engineering Battalion, was killed by an explosive drone in southern Lebanon. Another soldier was seriously wounded in that incident.

Last week, shortly before the start of Shavuot, Sgt. Noam Hamburger, 23, from Atlit, was killed when an explosive drone detonated above an IDF force at the Birnit outpost between Kibbutz Sasa and Tanta on the Lebanese border.

The post Female IDF soldier killed in Israel by Hezbollah drone appeared first on World Israel News.

Capt. Maoz Israel Recanati, 24, was killed in a Hezbollah drone strike in southern Lebanon.

By World Israel News Staff

An Israeli soldier was killed by an explosive drone launched by Hezbollah in southern Lebanon on Friday, the same day the White House announced that the ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon had been extended for an additional 45 days.

Capt. Maoz Israel Recanati, 24, a platoon commander in the Golani Brigade’s 12th Battalion, was named as the fallen soldier in an IDF statement.

Recanati, who was from Itamar, is survived by his parents and six siblings.

He was engaged to marry his fiancée, Rani Leah Kellerman, next month.

“Our hearts are broken for a young life that was cut short just before he was to build a home in Israel,” Yossi Dagan, head of the Samaria Regional Council, said in a statement.

“All of Samaria bows its head and grieves with the dear family, and embraces them at this difficult time. His image and heroism will accompany us and give us the strength to strengthen and build a life here,” Dagan added.

Recanati is the seventh Israeli soldier killed while fighting Hezbollah since a truce between Israel and Lebanon was declared on April 16.

The ceasefire has been marked by repeated violations by Hezbollah, which has continued using explosive drones to target Israeli troops in southern Lebanon and northern Israel.

Although the Lebanese government formally approved a resolution calling for Hezbollah to disarm, the terror group has refused to relinquish its weapons and continues to receive significant backing from Iran.

Opponents of Hezbollah within Lebanon have increasingly accused the terror group of dragging the country into continued conflict with Israel and undermining Lebanon’s broader national interests.

Meanwhile, despite a Lebanese government resolution calling for Hezbollah to disarm, the organization has refused to give up its weapons.

The post IDF soldier killed in southern Lebanon during ‘extended ceasefire’ appeared first on World Israel News.

Combat medics attempted to treat him at the scene but were forced to pronounce him dead.

By JNS

Staff Sgt. Negev Dagan, 20, from Moshav Dekel in the northwestern Negev, was killed by Hezbollah mortar fire in Southern Lebanon, the Israel Defense Forces announced on Friday.

Dagan, a soldier in the Golani Infantry Brigade’s 12th Battalion, was operating near the Litani River on Thursday night when Hezbollah terrorists fired mortar shells at Israeli forces in the area, the military said.

One of the shells exploded near Dagan, mortally wounding him. Combat medics attempted to treat him at the scene but were forced to pronounce him dead.

Residents of Dekel remembered Dagan as “the salt of the earth” with “an amazing soul” who was deeply committed to serving in the military.

“We lost a diamond,” a family friend from the moshav told Army Radio on Friday. “He gave all of himself and it was important to him to serve in the army.”

He is the sixth Israeli soldier killed in Southern Lebanon since a ceasefire went into effect on April 16 under a U.S.-brokered agreement between Israel and Lebanon, and the 19th Israeli soldier slain in Lebanon since the outbreak of “Operation Roaring Lion” on Feb. 28.

The post IDF soldier KIA by Hezbollah mortar fire in southern Lebanon appeared first on World Israel News.

This drone strike followed an earlier Hezbollah suicide drone strike on an artillery battery located near Shomera on the Lebanese border in which 12 soldiers were wounded, two moderately and 10 lightly.

By JFeed

The IDF has cleared for publication the name of a soldier killed during combat operations in southern Lebanon on Thursday morning.

Sgt. Liem Ben Hamo, 19, from Herzliya, was a fighter in the 13th Battalion of the Golani Brigade. He fell during a targeted drone attack in the village of Qantara.

Details of the Incident

According to military correspondent Doron Kadosh, the incident occurred at approximately 10:20 AM when Hezbollah launched a strike using explosive UAVs. One of the drones was neutralized.

Tragically, the second drone scored a direct hit on a force from the 13th Battalion operating in an open area.

The strike resulted in the death of Sgt. Ben Hamo and left another soldier moderately wounded. An Israeli Air Force helicopter evacuated the casualties to a hospital for further treatment.

This drone strike followed an earlier Hezbollah suicide drone strike on an artillery battery located near Shomera on the Lebanese border in which 12 soldiers were wounded, two moderately and 10 lightly.

Troops from the Haredi “Chashmonaim” Brigade, who were stationed nearby on operational duty, immediately rushed to the scene to assist in the medical treatment and evacuation efforts.

The IDF is currently investigating whether the suicide drone was guided via fiber-optic technology.

This advanced method allows the operator to maintain a physical link to the UAV, making it immune to traditional electronic jamming and interception methods.

Military officials noted that if confirmed, this would mark the first recorded instance of a fiber-optic drone crossing the border from Lebanon into Israeli territory.

The direct hit on the artillery battery resulted in an armored vehicle catching fire. The heat from the initial explosion reportedly caused secondary detonations of ammunition shells stored in the immediate vicinity.

The post IDF soldier killed by Hezbollah drone appeared first on World Israel News.

Fooks is the third Israeli soldier to be killed in southern Lebanon since a ceasefire came into effect on April 17.

By JNS

An Israel Defense Forces soldier was killed and six others were wounded in a Hezbollah explosive drone strike in southern Lebanon on Sunday, the military said.

The fallen soldier was identified as Sgt. Idan Fooks, 19, of the 7th Armored Brigade’s 77th Battalion, from Petach Tikvah.

In the same incident, an officer and three soldiers were seriously wounded, one soldier sustained moderate injuries and another was lightly hurt, the IDF said, adding that the wounded were evacuated to the hospital for treatment, and their families had been informed.

Fooks is the third Israeli soldier to be killed in southern Lebanon since a ceasefire came into effect on April 17, and the first to be killed in a direct Hezbollah attack during the truce, according to the IDF.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued a statement Sunday evening mourning the fallen soldier.

“Our hearts grieve over fallen soldier, Sergeant Idan Fooks, of blessed memory, in battle in southern Lebanon,” Netanyahu said.

“My wife and I, along with all citizens of Israel, send our deepest heartfelt condolences to Idan’s family and share in their heavy loss. We wish a speedy and full recovery to our soldiers who were wounded in this difficult incident.

“Idan fought with bravery and courage alongside his comrades to restore security to the residents of the North, and this is what we shall continue to do. May his memory be blessed and cherished forever.”

Netanyahu accused Hezbollah of repeatedly violating the fragile truce, while the Iran-backed terrorist organization denied responsibility and blamed Israel for ceasefire breaches.

Following the deadly attack, the IDF said it carried out a wave of airstrikes and artillery fire in southern Lebanon, targeting Hezbollah terrorists and infrastructure north of the Israeli-declared security zone.

Under the terms of the ceasefire, which was extended last week by U.S. President Donald Trump for three weeks, Israel retains the right to act against “planned, imminent or ongoing attacks.”

The post IDF soldier killed, six wounded in Hezbollah drone strike in southern Lebanon appeared first on World Israel News.

It was later determined that Shiri Bibas and her two children, Ariel and Kfir, had tragically been murdered by terrorists months before the mission took place.

By Eliana Fleming, JFeed

During a recent Memorial Day ceremony, Yafit Goshen shared the painful and heroic details of her son’s final mission, confirming that he fell while attempting to rescue Shiri Bibas and her two young children from captivity in the Gaza Strip.

For over two years, the family of Staff Sergeant Uriah Goshen lived with the knowledge of his passing without knowing the full scale of the heroism involved in his final moments.

It was only during the opening ceremony for Memorial Day events at Yad Labanim that his mother, Yafit, revealed the specific circumstances surrounding his death in January 2024.

Uriah, a dedicated fighter in the Givati Reconnaissance Unit, lost his life during Operation Red Heart, a dangerous and high-stakes mission aimed at bringing the Bibas family home.

It was later determined that Shiri Bibas and her two children, Ariel and Kfir, had tragically been murdered by terrorists months before the mission took place.

Shiri Bibas and her sons Ariel (left) and Kfir. (X Screenshot)

Despite this harrowing reality, Yafit Goshen spoke with pride about her son’s commitment to the mission.

She described him as a natural leader who grew up with a deep love for Israel and a desire to connect people regardless of their background or identity.

Uriah was known for his idealism and his history of volunteering, even playing music for hospital patients, embodying the spirit of a true defender of justice.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other state leaders attended the ceremony, where the sacrifice of soldiers like Uriah was honored as the bedrock of Israel’s existence.

Uriah’s parents, Yafit and Aiove, expressed that while they only recently learned the nature of the operation, they remain committed to the message of unity that their son championed throughout his life.

His legacy, and the tragic circumstances of his death during a mission to rescue civilians from the hands of terrorists, continue to resonate as a powerful symbol of the nation’s ongoing struggle and the profound dedication of those serving in the Israel Defense Forces.

The post A hidden sacrifice: Mother reveals son died in failed operation to rescue Bibas family appeared first on World Israel News.

The army is investigating whether the explosive dated from that period or was recently placed there.

By JNS

Israel Defense Forces Sergeant First Class (res.) Lidor Porat, 31, from Ashdod, fell in Lebanon on Saturday, according to the Israeli military.

Nine other soldiers were wounded in the same incident, one severely, four moderately and for lightly, according to an IDF statement.

The wounded were evacuated by helicopter and their families have been notified.

According to the IDF, a D-9 bulldozer operated by a force from the 769th Brigade in Southern Lebanon hit an IED planted by Hezbollah near Kfar Kila.

Kfar Kila was destroyed in the previous round of fighting against Hezbollah at the end of 2024.

The army is investigating whether the explosive dated from that period or was recently placed there, Israel’s Channel 14 reported.

The tragedy follows the death on Friday of Warrant Officer (res.) Barak Kalfon, from Adi in northern Israel.

Kalfon was an employee of Rafael Advanced Defense Systems. Married and the father of two, he would have turned 49 next month.

Two soldiers sustained moderate injuries and another was lightly wounded in the same incident.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu extended his condolences on behalf of all Israelis to Kalfon’s family and wished a “speedy recovery” to the wounded.

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said that “Barak was a courageous and devoted fighter and a model family man.”

The post IDF reservist killed, 9 wounded by Hezbollah IED in Southern Lebanon appeared first on World Israel News.

During the operation, a Hezbollah explosive device detonated, killing Kalfon and injuring three others—two in moderate condition and one lightly.

By Shmuli Volkin, Jewish Breaking News

An IDF reservist was killed and three other soldiers were wounded after an explosive device detonated in southern Lebanon, despite the ceasefire with Hezbollah having taken effect on Friday, the military said.

The fallen soldier was identified as Warrant Officer (res.) Barak Kalfon, 48, from Adi, a member of the 226th Reserve Paratroopers Brigade’s 7056th Battalion.

The incident occurred in the village of Jebbayn, where reservists were conducting a search of a building for weapons.

During the operation, a Hezbollah explosive device detonated, killing Kalfon and injuring three others—two in moderate condition and one lightly.

An initial IDF assessment indicates the device was not triggered remotely. The circumstances of the blast remain under investigation.

The wounded soldiers were evacuated by helicopter to a hospital in northern Israel, and their families have been informed.

The post IDF reservist killed and 3 wounded by Hezbollah bomb in southern Lebanon after ceasefire appeared first on World Israel News.

The top video shows two soldiers—one of whom, Omri Michaeli, was killed hours later—at a gas station near Kibbutz Kfar Aza, vowing to pay the store owner back for food taken during a break in the fighting.

The bottom video shows survivors from Kfar Aza returning to that same gas station after the massacre, embracing and consoling one another.

Rare footage from OCT 7 documented for the first time:

Two ‘Duvdevan’ unit reservists enter the ‘Alonit’ (A petrol station near Kibbutz Kfar Aza). They have been fighting the terrorists since morning and stock up on something to eat just before they enter the kibbutz. One… pic.twitter.com/3wbQca3qUn

— Iris (@streetwize) April 17, 2026

This is a documentary unlike anything we’ve seen before:
OCT 7: The moments when members of kibbutz Kfar Aza enter the ‘Alonit’ adjacent to the kibbutz. Soldiers carry children in their arms and the residents see each other for the first time—after being rescued from the… pic.twitter.com/aUmJzoRtr8

—Iris (@streetwize) April 16, 2026

The post WATCH: Never-before-seen Oct. 7 footage shows IDF soldiers promising to repay store owner for food taken during battle appeared first on World Israel News.