IDF says reserve soldier severely wounded in Bint Jbeil clash; gunman still at large

The encounter occurred at approximately 18:00 on Thursday as forces from the 679th Armored Brigade were conducting operational activity in the Bint Jbeil area. According to an IDF probe of the incident, the troops entered a building and were met with fire from a Hezbollah operative positioned inside. In addition to the severely wounded soldier, two other troops sustained very light injuries but did not require hospital evacuation. Immediately following the clash, Israeli forces responded with tank shelling against the building, while the Israeli Air Force, directed by the 91st Division's fire brigade, struck additional targets in the vicinity.

As of Friday morning, the fate of the Hezbollah gunman remains unknown. IDF units are maintaining a presence in the area and conducting extensive scans to locate and eliminate the threat. Bint Jbeil has long been identified as a strategic stronghold for Hezbollah infrastructure in southern Lebanon, and the ongoing operations by reserve units like the 'Yiftah' Brigade are focused on dismantling these capabilities. This incident highlights the persistent friction in the sector, where Israeli forces frequently encounter localized resistance during building-clearing operations. The Zioneer Intelligence Desk will continue to monitor the soldier's condition and the progress of the searches.