JERUSALEM (VINnews) – Sergeant Major (res.) Ayal Uriel Bianco, 30, of Katzrin, was killed in combat in southern Lebanon, the Israel Defense Forces announced Monday.

Bianco, a firefighting vehicle driver in the 188th “Barak” Armored Brigade, fell during operations against Hezbollah, according to the military. His family has been notified.

The IDF did not immediately release further details on the circumstances of the incident. Reports indicated that another reservist was moderately wounded in the same event.

Bianco is the latest Israeli soldier to lose his life in the ongoing northern front security operations. Israel has been engaged in intensified actions against Hezbollah in southern Lebanon in recent months.

Baruch Dayan HaEmet. May the Almighty comfort the family among the mourners of Zion and Jerusalem, and may Bianco’s memory be a blessing.