HY’D: Two IDF Soldiers Killed in Southern Lebanon

Two IDF soldiers were killed in a Hezbollah attack in southern Lebanon early this morning, the military announced.

One of the slain troops is named as Sgt. First Class Maher Khatar, 38, a heavy machinery operator in the 91st “Galilee” Regional Division, from Majdal Shams.

The name of the second soldier is set to be released for publication later, the army said.

The incident took place near an army post in southern Lebanon, just across from the Israeli border community of Manara.

According to a preliminary IDF probe, the incident began when a Puma armored personnel carrier got stuck amid operations in the area. The IDF sent another Puma APC and two D9 armored bulldozers in an attempt to extract it.

One of the D9 bulldozers was struck by a projectile, possibly an anti-tank missile or a mortar, causing a blaze that killed the two troops, according to the IDF’s probe. One officer was also lightly injured in the incident.