HY’D: Second IDF Soldier Killed In Lebanon Blast Identified

Two reservist soldiers were killed and four were seriously wounded after being hit by an explosive device in the southern Lebanon town of Majdal Zoun yesterday, the IDF announced.

The slain troops are named as: Maj. (res.) Harel Birenstock, 34, a company commander from Nokdim; and Sgt. Maj. (res.) Tamir Vaknin, 33, from Eilat. Both served in the 55th Paratroopers Brigade’s 2855th Battalion.

According to an initial IDF probe,at around noon on Wednesday, troops of the reserve brigade entered a structure in Majdal Zoun, during efforts to demolish Hezbollah infrastructure. As they entered the building, an explosion occurred, killing and injuring the forces.

The wounded troops were taken to a hospital and their families were notified, the army adds.

Following the explosion, the IDF carried out strikes on Hezbollah targets in the area.