IDF reservist killed in exchange of fire with Hezbollah in southern Lebanon

Itamar Sapir, 27, survived by wife and one-year-old son, was killed when a Hezbollah operative fired at him from inside a church

An IDF officer was killed in combat with Hezbollah in southern Lebanon on Tuesday morning, the military announced, as limited fighting continued with the Iran-backed terror group despite a newly extended ceasefire.

The slain officer was named as Maj. (res.) Itamar Sapir, 27, a deputy company commander in the 551st Brigade’s 7008th, from the West Bank settlement of Eli. Sapir also served in the Maglan commando unit during his regular service.

He is survived by his wife, Roee, their one-year-old son, Maayan, his parents and his brothers.

Sapir was killed during an exchange of fire when a Hezbollah operative began firing from inside a church at Israeli forces operating in the village of Qouza.

After the exchange of fire, the Israel Defense Forces responded by striking targets in the area in an attempt to hit the operative.

“Itamar always had a huge smile, and everyone who saw him understood what a kind smile and eyes he had, and how talented he was,” Sapir’s father-in-law Erez said.

“He had a desire to do good in the world, wherever he was. We, the whole family, were privileged to be a part of his life,” he added.

Sapir is the eighth IDF soldier to be killed in southern Lebanon since the start of a ceasefire there on April 16, with the truce holding only partially and fighting continuing on a daily basis, albeit in a limited capacity. He is the 21st since hostilities between Israel and the terror group escalated amid the Iran war. A civilian contractor was also killed in southern Lebanon.

Later on Tuesday, Hezbollah launched several drones from Lebanon, the military reported. One drone was intercepted, triggering sirens in several border communities.

A couple of hours later, another drone struck Israeli territory, close to the border. According to the IDF, the drone had targeted soldiers.

Two people were reportedly lightly wounded in the incident.

The military struck more than 25 Hezbollah targets in southern Lebanon on Tuesday.

The targets included weapon depots, command centers, rocket launchers used in previous attacks, and other infrastructure used by the terror group to advance attacks, according to the IDF.

The IDF said it also struck Hezbollah operatives in the Cristofani Ridge area, located several kilometers north of Mount Hermon.

Lebanon’s health ministry reported that one of the strikes killed at least 10 people, including three women and three children.

“An Israeli airstrike on the town of Deir Qanun al-Nahr in the Tyre district resulted in an initial toll of 10 martyrs, including three children and three women, in addition to three wounded, including a child,” the ministry said in a statement, calling it a “massacre.”

The IDF did not immediately comment on the claim.

The military also issued evacuation warnings for 12 villages and towns in southern Lebanon ahead of airstrikes targeting Hezbollah.

Residents of Toura, Nabatiyeh at-Tahta, Habboush, al-Bazouriyah, Tayr Debba, Kfar Houneh, Ain Qana, Libbaya, Jibshit, ash-Shehabiyah, Burj al-Shamali and Houmine al-Faouqaare were instructed to evacuate at least a kilometer away.

“Anyone present near Hezbollah operatives, facilities, or combat equipment is putting their life at risk,” army spokesman Col. Avichay Adraee said, citing alleged ceasefire violations by the terror group.