Haifa Mayor Yona Yahav eulogized Staff Sergeant (res.) Alexander Filin, 29, who was killed in a battle in southern Lebanon. Filin was called up for reserve duty and fell while defending the state, Yahav said in a statement released by his office.
Haifa Mayor Yona Yahav eulogized Staff Sgt. (res.) Alexander Filin in a statement released by his office Thursday morning. Filin, 29, a Haifa resident and fighter with the 36th Division headquarters, was killed Wednesday afternoon in a Hezbollah-planted IED attack during a foot patrol near the village of Tayba in southern Lebanon, as The Zioneer reported earlier Thursday.
The IDF first released Filin's name at 05:57 Jerusalem Thursday, identifying him as a fallen reservist from Haifa. By 06:05 Jerusalem, The Zioneer reported that seven other soldiers had been wounded in the same incident — including the deputy commander of the 36th Division (a colonel). At 06:13 Jerusalem, The Zioneer confirmed the IED was planted by Hezbollah, and by 07:22 Jerusalem, a fuller account noted the wounded also included a reserve lieutenant colonel (556th Transport Regiment) in moderate condition, four reservists and a female soldier lightly hurt; a preliminary IDF investigation attributed the blast to an enemy device, after which artillery struck terror targets in the area.
As The Zioneer reported on June 6, a separate IED attack earlier in the month had highlighted ongoing hostilities in the Litani area despite the declared ceasefire. The Zioneer also reported on June 10 that the IDF continued airstrikes on southern Lebanon villages after evacuation warnings, with at least eight killed.
The circumstances that allowed the IED to remain undetected before Wednesday's patrol have not been detailed by the IDF. No claim of responsibility has been issued by Hezbollah.
3 developments
- StrongFuneral held for reservist Alexander Filin, killed in southern Lebanon
- StrongIDF says one soldier killed, seven wounded by Hezbollah IED in southern Lebanon; Filin named, injuries detailed
- DevelopingThe Zioneer republishes interview with fallen reservist Alexander Filin
- StrongDefense Minister Katz eulogizes fallen 52nd Battalion commander and three soldiers in Lebanon
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