An Israeli soldier was killed and five others wounded during a firefight with Hezbollah operatives in southern Lebanon, the IDF announced.

The fallen soldier has been identified as Staff Sgt. Touvel Yosef Lifshiz, 20, a fighter in the Golani Brigade’s 13th Battalion from Beit She’an.

According to an initial investigation, Golani troops identified several Hezbollah gunmen in their sector on Tuesday afternoon. An exchange of fire ensued, during which Lifshiz was killed. An officer was seriously wounded, while four additional soldiers sustained light to moderate injuries.

The IDF says forces are continuing operations to track down and eliminate the Hezbollah cell.

Lifshiz is the 12th Israeli soldier killed since the latest round of fighting in southern Lebanon began.