Hezbollah Drone Strike Kills IDF Soldier, Wounds Six

An IDF tank operating in the area had become immobilized, and as the crew worked to fix the issue, Hezbollah launched an explosive drone that detonated beside the vehicle.

By United with Israel Staff

An IDF soldier was killed and six others were wounded in a Hezbollah drone strike in southern Lebanon, highlighting the ongoing instability along the northern front despite a ceasefire.

The military identified the fallen soldier as Sgt. Idan Fooks, 19, of Petah Tikva, a tank crewman in the 77th Battalion of the 7th Armored Brigade.

The attack took place on Sunday morning near the village of Taybeh, about four kilometers from the Israeli border. An IDF tank operating in the area had become immobilized, and as the crew worked to fix the issue, Hezbollah launched an explosive drone that detonated beside the vehicle.

Fooks was killed in the blast. Four soldiers were seriously wounded, while two others sustained moderate and light injuries.

An Israeli Air Force helicopter entered Lebanese territory to evacuate the wounded. As the rescue operation unfolded, Hezbollah launched two additional explosive drones toward the site. One was intercepted, while the other landed just meters from the helicopter, causing no further harm.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed condolences following the attack.

“Our hearts ache for the fall of Sgt. Idan Fooks, of blessed memory,” Netanyahu said. He added that he and his wife, together with the entire nation, send their condolences to the family and wish a full recovery to the wounded. Netanyahu praised Fooks for fighting “with courage and determination” to restore security to northern communities.

Petah Tikva Mayor Rami Greenberg also paid tribute to the fallen soldier.

“I share in the deep sorrow of the Fooks family over the loss of their son, nephew and grandson, Israel hero Sgt. Idan Fooks, who fell during the fighting in southern Lebanon,” Greenberg said. He noted that Fooks, a resident of the Pisgat Hadar neighborhood and a graduate of Ben Gurion High School, “fell while defending the people and the homeland.”

“The Petah Tikva Municipality will stand by the family during this difficult time and support them in any way needed,” he added.

On Monday morning, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Defense Minister Israel Katz, IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir, and senior security officials held a telephone consultation to assess Hezbollah’s ceasefire violations in the north.

The attack comes as concerns grow that repeated Hezbollah actions are weakening the ceasefire. Netanyahu warned Sunday that ongoing violations are eroding the agreement.

“It must be understood that Hezbollah’s violations are essentially disintegrating the ceasefire,” he said, adding that Israel will continue to act to defend its soldiers and civilians.