The Zioneer pays tribute to Maj. (res.) Harel Birenstock, 34, a company commander in the 55th Paratroopers Reserve Brigade, who fell in combat in southern Lebanon. Birenstock, a resident of Nokdim in Judea, was a beloved father, husband, and commander who served hundreds of reserve days. The incident, which occurred on Wednesday in the village of Majdal Zoun, also killed Chief Master Sgt. Tamir Vaknin and wounded four other soldiers.
On Thursday morning, the IDF identified the two reserve soldiers killed in Wednesday's operational incident in southern Lebanon as Maj. (res.) Harel Birenstock, 34, a company commander from Nokdim in Judea, and Chief Master Sgt. (res.) Tamir Vaknin, 33, a combat medic from Eilat. Both served in the 55th Paratroopers Reserve Brigade. The Zioneer pays tribute to their service and sacrifice.
As The Zioneer reported throughout the night, the incident occurred on Wednesday at approximately 12:00 in the village of Majdal Zoun in southern Lebanon. A force from the 55th Brigade entered a building as part of clearing terror infrastructure when an explosive device detonated. The blast killed Birenstock and Vaknin and seriously wounded four other reserve soldiers. The IDF has launched an investigation into whether the explosives were placed before or after the recent ceasefire took effect. The incident prompted large-scale IDF retaliatory strikes against Hezbollah targets in southern Lebanon.
Birenstock, a resident of Nokdim in the Gush Etzion region of Judea, was a beloved father, husband, and commander who had served hundreds of reserve days. Vaknin, from Eilat, served as a combat medic. The four wounded soldiers were evacuated for medical treatment. The families have been notified.
The investigation remains ongoing to determine the origin of the explosives. The condition of the wounded soldiers has not been updated.
9 developments
- DevelopingNames released of two IDF soldiers wounded by explosive device in Jenin this morning
- StrongIDF says one soldier killed, seven wounded by Hezbollah IED in southern Lebanon; Filin named, injuries detailed
- ConfirmedIDF: Five soldiers wounded in second Hezbollah drone strike near Kfar Tebnit overnight
- StrongPresident Herzog mourns two fallen soldiers, hails them as 'heroes of Israel'
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