A 71-year-old Israeli civilian and an IDF soldier were killed during a gunfight with Hezbollah operatives in southern Lebanon on Wednesday. The civilian, Zeev Erlich, had entered Lebanon without proper authorization to examine an archaeological site, accompanied by senior military personnel.
The incident occurred near an ancient fortress in the western sector of southern Lebanon. According to an initial IDF investigation, Col. Yoav Yarom, chief of staff of the Golani Brigade, allowed Erlich, a researcher, to access the site. Despite military clearance of the area, two Hezbollah operatives were concealed nearby and launched an attack on the group.
Sgt. Gur Kehati, 20, of the Golani Brigade’s 13th Battalion, was killed in the exchange of fire alongside Erlich. Col. Yarom sustained moderate injuries, and a company commander from the brigade was seriously wounded. The two Hezbollah operatives were killed in the skirmish.
Erlich, who was not on active duty or in the reserves, had entered Lebanon armed and in IDF uniform. Posthumously, the IDF recognized him as a reservist major. An investigation is ongoing to determine how the civilian gained access to the active conflict zone.
Separate Incident Claims Reservist’s Life
In a separate incident on the same day, IDF reservist Sgt. First Class (res.) Eitan Ben Ami, 22, of the Maglan commando unit, was killed when a damaged building collapsed during an operation in a southern Lebanese village. Another soldier was injured but rescued from the debris.
The building, previously damaged in Israeli airstrikes, is believed to have collapsed due to severe weather. The IDF ruled out enemy fire or booby traps as the cause of the collapse.
Mounting Casualties in Southern Lebanon
Since Israel’s ground operations in Lebanon began in late September to clear Hezbollah operatives from border areas, at least 71 IDF soldiers and reservists have been killed in action. Two additional soldiers were killed in a drone attack launched from Iraq. Skirmishes have also occurred along the Syrian border, though no injuries have been reported.
The heightened tensions follow a year of cross-border rocket and drone attacks, prompting Israel to escalate military operations in the region.