The IDF on Motzoei Shabbos released the names of three soldiers who were killed during fierce fighting against Hezbollah terrorists in southern Lebanon earlier this week, as additional details emerged about the deadly attacks that claimed their lives.

Among those killed was Staff Sergeant Yoav Klein, 21, of Herzliya, a soldier in the 52nd Battalion of the 401st Brigade, who fell during combat operations in southern Lebanon.

Reacting to the devastating news, Herzliya Mayor Yariv Fisher said: “Once again, our hearts break with deep sorrow, and with great pain, we were informed of the fall of Yoav Klein, of blessed memory, a Herzliya native and a graduate of Hayovel High School. Only three years ago, he was still a student at the school. A young man with an entire future ahead of him, a talented and beloved basketball player, who grew up in our city and chose to go out and defend the country and all of us. I send my heartfelt embrace to his parents, Eran and Einat, his family, friends, and all who had the privilege of knowing Yoav.”

Fisher continued: “There are no words that can console such a loss, and there is no greater pain than that of parents forced to part with their son. Herzliya bows its head today. We will remember Yoav, his smile, his path, and his tremendous sacrifice. May his memory be blessed.”

Also killed in the same battle was Staff Sergeant Liav Kababia, 20, of Hod Hasharon, who likewise served in the 52nd Battalion of the 401st Brigade.

According to an initial report by Kan News, the attack that claimed the lives of Klein and Kababia involved a sophisticated Hezbollah assault combining anti-tank missile fire with an explosive drone strike directed at their tank.

The incident occurred while forces from the 36th Division were operating in the Ali Taher Ridge area south of Nabatieh. Preliminary investigations indicate that after the tank sustained a direct anti-tank missile hit, an armed drone carrying what appeared to be anti-tank explosives entered through the vehicle’s rear passageway and exploded inside the tank.

In the same attack that killed Staff Sergeants Yoav Klein and Liav Kababia, LTC Dor Gedalia Ben Simhon and two additional soldiers whose identities have not yet been authorized for publication were also killed.

The IDF also announced the death of Sergeant First Class Nir Ben Ari, 21, of Kerem Maharal, a soldier in the Maglan Unit of the Commando Brigade, who was killed in a separate combat incident in southern Lebanon.

Ben Ari served as his company’s logistics officer and was expected to begin his discharge leave at the end of the month.

Two other soldiers sustained serious wounds in the attack that killed Ben Ari, while an IDF officer was moderately injured.

A lifelong resident of Kerem Maharal, Ben Ari is survived by his brothers, Guy and Shay, and his sister, Shir. He was just nine days away from celebrating his 22nd birthday.

Remembering him, family members said he “loved life, his family, and his friends. He had a special bond with his two brothers and sister Shir. He was a boy with an incredible presence. Always happy. Always surrounded by friends. He was a very strong child, both physically and mentally. He was first in everything.”

Family friend Nir Baruch described the plans Ben Ari had before his life was cut short. “At the beginning of the week, he had a motorcycle test scheduled. He had a flight ticket to Thailand for mid-August,” Baruch said. “Just yesterday he was still at home but chose to return to his friends and enter Lebanon.”

Assaf Izak, head of the Hof Hacarmel Regional Council, paid tribute to the fallen soldier, saying: “Nir was the the best of our sons in every sense – a young man of values who excelled in his studies, an athlete, a fighter, and a commander. Above all, he was a person who loved life, his family, and his friends, and was always surrounded by people drawn to his light, joy, and unique presence. Nir was at the threshold of a new chapter in his life, with countless plans, dreams, and a promising future that was cruelly cut short.”

Alfa Weinberger, principal of Kfar Galim High School, where Ben Ari studied, also mourned his loss. “Nir completed his studies in 2022, focusing on biology and physics. His family is an inseparable part of us,” she wrote.

Referring to another recent tragedy, Weinberger noted that Staff Sergeant Noam Hamburger, also a graduate of Kfar Galim, was killed by an explosive drone in southern Lebanon last month. She added: “This is a second and unbearable loss for our community. Our hearts break at the young lives that were cut short and the immense pain of their families.”

The wounded soldiers from the incident involving Ben Ari were evacuated to hospitals for treatment, and their families were informed of their conditions.

{Matzav.com}