An IDF soldier was killed in an overnight firefight with Hezbollah operatives in southern Lebanon, the military confirmed.

The fallen soldier was identified as Staff Sgt. Ori Greenberg, 21, a member of the Golani Brigade’s reconnaissance unit from Petah Tikva. He is the third Israeli soldier killed since the launch of the renewed ground offensive against Hezbollah in the south.

According to a preliminary IDF investigation, the incident occurred around 2 a.m. when Golani forces operating in the area spotted a group of Hezbollah gunmen. A firefight broke out, during which Greenberg was killed and another soldier sustained light injuries that did not require hospitalization.

The IDF said troops returned fire, killing several Hezbollah operatives. Forces remain deployed in the area, continuing searches for additional militants.