Four soldiers fell in battle in Lebanon

The IDF announced on Monday that four soldiers fell in battle in southern Lebanon:

Major (Res.) Evgeny Zinershain, aged 43, from Zikhron Ya'akov, was a company commander in the 9263rd Battalion, 226th Brigade.

Captain (Res.) Sagi Ya'akov Rubinshtein, aged 31, from Lavi, was a platoon commander in the 9263rd Battalion, 226th Brigade.

Master Sergeant (Res.) Binyamin Destaw Negose, aged 28, from Bet Shemesh, was a soldier in the 9263rd Battalion, 226th Brigade.

Sergeant First Class (Res.) Erez Ben Efraim, aged 25, from Ramat Gan, was a soldier in the 9263rd Battalion, 226th Brigade.

An IDF preliminary investigation revealed that soldiers from the 226th Brigade were conducting a search for Hezbollah weapons and infrastructure in the Labbouneh Reserve, located near the western border. During the operation, troops entered a tunnel that contained both weapons and additional shafts. While inside, an explosion occurred, causing the tunnel structure to collapse.

The IDF is currently investigating the possibility that the explosion was the result of an operational accident, potentially involving IDF munitions. While the likelihood of this theory is high, the investigation remains ongoing. Rescue teams from the Home Front Command worked tirelessly for several hours to extricate the soldiers who were trapped underground.

Master Sergeant (Res.) Binyamin Destaw Negose, a resident of Beit Shemesh, has become the 17th local casualty in the ongoing war. His tragic death was mourned deeply by his community.

Beit Shemesh Mayor Shmuel Greenberg visited the grieving family to offer support during this incredibly difficult time. “The tears have not yet dried from the loss of Staff Sergeant Zamir Burke, and today we are confronted with another heartbreaking loss, that of Master Sergeant Negose. The pain is unbearable, and words cannot fully express the depth of our sorrow. His heroism in defending the people of Israel will remain in our hearts forever.”