IDF Says Hezbollah Killed Four Soldiers in Southern Lebanon, Including Lt.-Col. Dor Gedalia Ben Simhon

Four IDF soldiers were killed in southern Lebanon over the weekend, including Lt.-Col. Dor Gedalia Ben Simhon, 32, from Beit Hashita, after their tank was hit during fighting in the area of the village of Tebnit south of Nabatiya.

“4 Israeli soldiers killed in Hezbollah attack in southern Lebanon Soldiers were killed after Hezbollah attacked their tank in southern Lebanese village of Kfar Tebnit, according to Israeli reports Mohammad Sio 19 June 2026•Update: 19 June 2026 ISTANBUL Four Israeli soldiers, including a battalion commander, were killed in southern Lebanon after a Hezbollah attack targeted their tank, the Israeli military and local media reported on Friday”

Anadolu Ajansı

The IDF said the tank was struck by a “suspicious object” while operating alongside troops from the Givati Brigade, and it later said the incident involved an external strike, either by an explosive drone or an anti-tank missile.

Anadolu Ajansı

In a separate incident, Hezbollah’s attack killed Sgt. First Class Nir Ben Ari, 21, from Kerem Maharal, and the IDF said it was targeting troops with rocket and artillery fire.

Lebanon’s health ministry said at least 47 people were killed in the country following Israeli air strikes, while the IDF said it struck 80 targets linked to Hezbollah and killed “dozens” of its members.

The BBC reported that the strikes came after a US-Iran deal and an immediate ceasefire agreed between the US and Iran, but fighting and claims of violations continued as the weekend unfolded.

As Israel and Hezbollah traded accusations of ceasefire violations, the IDF said it had been instructed to hold its fire in southern Lebanon while troops had operational control over the Ali Taher Ridge compound near Nabatieh.

A senior IDF official said, “We must not withdraw from there,” describing the mission as one of “moral importance” to protect residents of the north.

BBC

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun warned that the “expansion of Israeli attacks constitute a dangerous escalation,” while IDF spokesperson Evi Dafrin said Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir’s instructions had not changed and there were “no constraints on dealing with the threats.”

Opposition leader Yair Lapid reacted to the deaths of the four soldiers, writing on X, “The heart breaks with the news,” and he said “Endless pain.”

In Israel, National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir called for escalation, writing, “Lebanon must burn completely,” after the four soldiers were killed in southern Lebanon.

The IDF said it had operational control over Ali Taher Ridge, describing the fortified underground compound built with Iranian assistance as one of Hezbollah’s “nerve centers” in southern Lebanon and saying dozens of Hezbollah terrorists were trapped inside with no ability to leave.

“The Israeli army said the soldiers were killed in combat when their tanks were hit during an operation near Kfar Tabnit”

Euronews

The Media Line reported that IDF spokesman Brig. Gen. Effie Defrin said the battalion commander’s tank was hit at approximately 12:30 a.m., while the military investigated whether it was struck by an explosive device or an explosive drone launched by Hezbollah terrorists.

The BBC said Lebanon’s health ministry reported 97 people wounded by Israeli air strikes, and it listed deaths in the Nabatieh district including nine in Harouf, seven in Haboush, and six in al-Duweir.

In Israel, Defense Minister Israel Katz praised the fallen commander, saying, “Dor was a courageous, determined, and dedicated commander,” while the Gilboa Regional Council said it “bows its head, grieves, and salutes” upon his fall in battle.

Anadolu Ajansı reported that Israel’s military offensive in Lebanon, which began on March 2, has killed 3,912 people, injured 11,873 others, and displaced more than one million residents, with Israeli forces advancing more than 10 kilometers into Lebanese territory.