The IDF is continuing its investigation into the deadly explosion in Majdal Zoun that killed two Israeli reservists, with the military increasingly assessing that the Hezbollah explosive device responsible for the blast was planted before the ceasefire took effect.

The fallen soldiers were Maj. Harel Birenstock, 34, from Nokdim, and Master Sgt. Tamir Vaknin, 33, from Eilat. Both served in the 2855th Battalion of the Paratroopers Brigade’s 55th Reserve Brigade.

According to a Ynet report, the IDF believes the explosive was an older Hezbollah device that had been planted before the ceasefire but remained undiscovered.

The military is now conducting an extensive investigation into how the explosive went undetected, particularly because IDF forces had been operating in and around the structure where the blast occurred for several weeks.

Despite the assessment that the device was planted before the ceasefire, the IDF has classified the deadly incident as a serious violation of the agreement. Military officials said that the killing of Israeli soldiers by an explosive device during the ceasefire constitutes a violation regardless of when the bomb was originally planted.

The investigation comes amid continued Hezbollah activity in southern Lebanon.

Over the weekend, it was revealed that Hezbollah recently launched an explosive-laden drone toward IDF troops operating in southern Lebanon. No soldiers were injured and no damage was reported.

The IDF did not initially disclose the drone incident, saying it would not publish information that, based on operational assessments, could endanger Israeli troops operating in combat zones.

The military is also closely monitoring developments in the southern Lebanese village of al-Mansouri, where residents have begun returning despite continued IDF activity in the area.

According to military officials, seven Hezbollah terrorists have been eliminated in the village over the past month. IDF forces continue surveillance and operations aimed at eliminating threats in the area.

Warnings have also been distributed to local residents informing them that the village remains within an active combat zone and that returning to the area could be dangerous.

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)