Four Israeli soldiers, including a senior armored officer, died in an attack attributed to Hezbollah in southern Lebanon, the Israeli Armed Forces (IDF) announced.
The victim identified is Lieutenant Colonel Dor Gendalia Ben Simon, 32, commander of the 52nd Battalion of the 401st Armoured Brigade, from Beit Hasita. The details of the other three soldiers are expected to be released later.
According to the army's initial estimate, during the incident shortly after midnight, suspected unmanned aircraft or anti-tank rocket struck the battle chariot in which the commander was on board the village of Kfar Tebnit, in southern Lebanon. The exact cause of the explosion that caused the death of all four crew members is being investigated.
Lieutenant Colonel Ben Simon had recently taken command of the battalion, replacing the previous commander, who had been seriously injured in an operation in southern Lebanon last April.
In a separate incident, five more Israeli soldiers were injured in the same area, when, according to the army, an explosive drone launched by Hezbollah struck forces of the Commando Brigade in Kfar Tebnit. One reserve officer was seriously injured, three soldiers suffered moderate injuries and a lieutenant was slightly injured. Everyone was taken to hospitals, while their families were informed.
The Israeli Armed Forces also announced that they made blows to Hezbollah infrastructure in the Bekaa Valley of eastern Lebanon, in response to "repeated truce violations" by the organization. According to local authorities, at least four people died.
בתגובה להפרות חוזרות מצד חיזבאללה: צה"ל תקף יותר מ-80 מטרות וחיסל עשרות מחבלים מארגון הטרור חיזבאללה בדרום לבנון
צה"ל תקף לפני זמן קצר שתי מפקדות של ארגון הטרור חיזבאללה בבקאע
... pic.twitter. Com/3s7U19O9t0— June 19, 2026
"All Lebanon burn!" At the same time, political tension is caused by the statements of Israel's National Security Minister, Itamar Ben Gvere, who said that "all Lebanon must burn", after the attack that cost the lives of the four soldiers. The Israeli minister argued that the security of Israeli citizens cannot be negotiated, causing strong reactions.
On a diplomatic level, France's Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barreau called on Israel to stop its operations in Lebanon, pointing out that the United States should exert pressure in the same direction. At the same time, Paris continues efforts to organise an international conference aimed at supporting the Lebanese army.