Five reservists were killed in southern Lebanon when a building they were operating in was struck by a powerful blast, the IDF said Friday.
The casualties were identified as Major (res.) Dan Maori, Captain (res.) Alon Safrai, Warrant Officer (res.) Omri Lotan, Warrant Officer (res.) Guy Idan, and Master Sergeant (res.) Tom Segal.
The incident, which left 19 additional soldiers wounded — four gravely — occurred as a logistics convoy delivering supplies reached an area near the Israel-Lebanon border where Israeli forces had been engaged in efforts to clear out the presence of Hezbollah’s elite Radwan force.
IDF sources reported that the military was investigating whether a mortar or heavy rocket caused the explosion, as ground personnel were stationed in the area to provide early warnings of incoming attacks.
The IDF added that anti-tank missile assaults from Hezbollah have escalated over the past week, significantly heightening risks in the border zone.
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