Eight Israeli soldiers were killed on Wednesday during an ongoing ground operation against Hezbollah in Lebanon. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that his country is engaged in a “tough war” against what he called “Iran’s axis of evil.”
The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) identified the fallen soldiers as Captain Eitan Itzhak Oster, 22; Captain Harel Etinger, 23; Captain Itai Ariel Giat, 23; Sergeant First Class Noam Barzilay, 22; Sergeant First Class Or Mantzur, 21; Sergeant First Class Nazaar Itkin, 21; Staff Sergeant Almken Terefe, 21; and Staff Sergeant Ido Broyer, 21. The IDF said they “fell during combat in
“I would like to send my deepest condolences to the families of our heroes who fell today in Lebanon,” Netanyahu said in a video message. “May God avenge their death. May their memory be of blessing.”
“We are in the middle of a tough war against Iran’s axis of evil, which seeks to destroy us. This will not happen — because we will stand together, and with God’s help — we will win together,” Netanyahu added. “We will return our hostages in the south, we will return our residents in the north, we will guarantee the eternity of Israel.”
Details about the incidents resulting in the deaths of the soldiers were not immediately available.
IDF Arabic spokesperson Avichay Adraee warned residents of two dozen communities in southern Lebanon to evacuate Wednesday for their own safety.
“Hezbollah’s activities are forcing the IDF to act forcefully against it. The IDF does not intend to harm you, and therefore, for your safety, you must evacuate your homes immediately and head north of the Awali River. Save your lives,” he said on X.
“Anyone who is near Hezbollah members, installations, and combat equipment is putting his life at risk. Any home used by Hezbollah for its military needs is expected to be targeted,” Adraee also said.
The inside Lebanon comes after airstrikes last week killed Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah and other top members.
The IDF says so far, more than 150 “terrorist infrastructure sites” have been destroyed in Lebanon, including Hezbollah weapon storage facilities and rocket launchers.
‘ Yael Rotem-Kuriel contributed to this report.