Four IDF Armored Corps soldiers were killed overnight in southern Lebanon when their tank was struck by a Hezbollah anti-tank missile, according to Israeli media reports. The incident represents a significant violation of the declared ceasefire with Hezbollah. Three of the soldiers' names have not yet been cleared for publication. Separately, IDF forces launched widespread strikes in southern Lebanon in response, and Iran canceled a planned delegation to Switzerland in protest of the Israeli operation.
The IDF confirmed Friday morning that the four Armored Corps soldiers killed overnight in southern Lebanon — including battalion commander Lt. Col. Dor Gedalia Ben Simhon — were struck by a Hezbollah anti-tank missile while in their tank, not by a drone as initially suspected. The military said the cause remains under investigation. In response, the IDF launched widespread strikes on Hezbollah infrastructure in southern Lebanon, according to Israeli media. Separately, Iran canceled a planned delegation to Switzerland in protest, Amit Segal (N12) reported.
Our coverage of this single incident has evolved rapidly since first reporting Friday 09:14 Jerusalem that four soldiers had been killed. By 09:31 Jerusalem, as names were cleared, the weapon was first reported as a suspected explosive drone (version 5); within the same minute, as more sources weighed in, the IDF confirmed it was an anti-tank guided missile (version 7). Subsequent versions noted the initial probe raised the possibility of a drone (version 9), but the military has not definitively settled the question.
The event comes against a backdrop of persistent friction along the border since the declared ceasefire. As The Zioneer has previously reported, Hezbollah has fired anti-tank missiles and mortars at IDF troops (Tue Jun 16, 05:56 Jerusalem), and the IDF has struck dozens to hundreds of Hezbollah targets in southern Lebanon in recent weeks (Sun Jun 14, 00:06 Jerusalem; Sat Jun 6, 21:52 Jerusalem). Two soldiers were killed and four wounded in separate incidents on Sun Jun 7.
The IDF has not stated definitively what weapon caused the tank hit; the initial probe suggested a drone, while the military's public assessment points to an anti-tank missile. The names of three of the fallen soldiers have not yet been cleared for publication.
10 developments
- DevelopingIDF says it struck 70+ Hezbollah sites, eliminated seven operatives from underground route
- DevelopingIDF kills two Hezbollah operatives fleeing rocket launch site in southern Lebanon
- StrongIDF says Hezbollah fired over 50 rockets at troops in south Lebanon overnight; strikes dozens of targets in response
- StrongHezbollah footage claims to show anti-tank missile strike on IDF tank that killed four soldiers
Source and signal
- Internal intake