Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz on Thursday issued statements mourning the deaths of Maj. Harel Birenstock and Chief Master Sgt. Tamir Vaknin, who were killed on Wednesday when an explosive device detonated in a building in the southern Lebanon village of Majdal Zoun. Katz said the two 'left behind families and full lives' and 'stood for reserve duty time and again with commitment and dedication.' Netanyahu said they were 'among the best of our sons.' Four other reservists were seriously wounded in the incident.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz on Thursday expressed grief over the deaths of two reserve soldiers killed in southern Lebanon, as the IDF released further details of the incident.
Maj. (res.) Harel Birenstock, 34, a company commander from Nokdim, and Chief Master Sgt. (res.) Tamir Vaknin, 33, a combat medic from Eilat, were killed on Wednesday when an explosive device detonated as their unit entered a building in the village of Majdal Zoun during a mission to clear Hezbollah infrastructure. Four other reserve soldiers from the 55th Paratroopers Brigade (Battalion 2855) were seriously wounded.
Katz said the two 'left behind families and full lives and stood for reserve duty time and again with commitment, dedication, and a deep sense of mission.' Netanyahu called them 'among the best of our sons, brave fighters who answered the call of reserve duty and fought valiantly to protect the residents of the north and the State of Israel.' The IDF characterized the explosion as a violation of the ceasefire and responded with strikes on Hezbollah targets in the area. The military is investigating whether the booby-trapped building was rigged before or after the ceasefire took effect.
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