The Israeli military has confirmed the death of a reserve officer, Lieutenant Colonel, who succumbed to severe injuries sustained during battles in southern Lebanon. Meanwhile, Hezbollah executed 25 attacks on Israeli targets, with 17 of these targeting Israeli military gatherings.
In a statement on Saturday, the Israeli army said, “Sergeant Major Netanel, aged 38, died from wounds sustained during clashes in southern Lebanon on October 9, 2023.” The officer had served as the “Section Commander of Battalion 5030 in the Alon Brigade 228.”
This brings the total number of Israeli military fatalities to 748 since the onset of hostilities on October 7, 2023. In addition, 4,969 soldiers have been wounded, with 744 of them sustaining severe injuries across Gaza, the West Bank, and southern Lebanon, according to official data.
Hezbollah’s Attacks Intensify
On the other side, Hezbollah has announced a series of strikes, targeting 17 Israeli military gatherings with rockets and artillery. These attacks also included rocket fire on Israeli settlements, cities, and military positions in northern Israel, notably an attack on a military base east of Haifa. The total number of Hezbollah’s attacks rose to 25 by the end of Saturday.
In a series of statements via its Telegram platform, Hezbollah detailed the rocket assaults on 16 Israeli military gatherings in settlements including Shlomi, Al-Malikiyah, Bassa, Zar’it (twice), Avivim, Manara, Abirim, and Bet Hillel barracks. It also targeted Al-Malikiyah and Al-Marj military positions (twice), Jal Dair northeast of Avivim, Aita al-Shaab, and near the Shebaa Gate in southern Lebanon.
Hezbollah also reported launching artillery shells at an Israeli military gathering near the Fatima Gate in the southern Lebanese town of Kafr Kila. Additionally, it targeted a military base in the Nasher area east of Haifa, Kiryat settlements north of Haifa, Safed (twice), Rosh Pina, and Kiryat Shmona.
The group confirmed it had launched a rocket salvo at Kiryat Ata, east of Haifa, and struck a Merkava tank in the Zar’it settlement with a guided missile, causing the tank to catch fire and resulting in casualties. Hezbollah also attacked an Israeli artillery position in the Dishon settlement with rocket fire.
Since September 23, Israel has escalated its airstrikes, targeting what it claims are Hezbollah strongholds in Beirut’s southern suburbs, southern Lebanon, and eastern Lebanon. By the end of the month, Israel announced the start of ground operations across the border.
