The head of the Shaar Hanegev Regional Council, Ofir Libstein, was killed in a firefight with militants while he went out to defend the residents of the council during the attack by the militants in the south.
The council's statement conveyed, "Following the ongoing terrorist attack on the communities in the vicinity, we sadly and with great pain inform that the head of the regional council, Ofir Libstein, was killed in an exchange of fire with militants."
Deputy head of the council, Yossi Kakan, is taking the place of the council head, and the council's management and local emergency team continue to manage the events.
IDF spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Daniel Hagari, updated urgently that there are seven active conflict zones within Israel: Kfar Gaza, Sderot, Sufa, Zikim Base, Nahal Oz, Be'eri, Magen, and Makhane Re'im.
"We are starting Operation Iron Swords"
He adds and updates: "So far, there have been 2,200 rocket launches towards Israel, and there have been infiltrations of militants into the territory, both from the ground, in paragliders, and from the sea. We have active conflict events in several locations. We have deployed significant forces to the south, including elite units and senior commanders, including lieutenant colonels and colonels. We have divided the Gaza Brigade into several task forces under the command of senior officers. We have announced a wide-scale call-up of reserves, roadblocks, and a special situation in the home front. We are commencing Operation Iron Swords."
