Israeli Soldier Killed, Three Seriously Wounded in Hezbollah Drone Strike

While hope remains for a ceasefire in Israel’s invasion of Lebanon, clashes continue in the country’s south. Today, an Israeli soldier from the Golani Brigade was reported killed and three others seriously wounded in a Hezbollah drone strike.

The incident was said to take place about 1 mile from the Israel border, in southern Lebanon. The troops were carrying out a logistics and supply operation to support Israeli invasion forces, who have been pushing deeper into Lebanon.

The slain was identified as reservist Sgt. First Class Omer Moshe Gaeldor, who was originally from Jerusalem. Those wounded have yet to be publicly identified, though their injuries are said to be substantial.

This brings the number of Israeli soldiers killed in the invasion of Lebanon to 49. This is far fewer than the roughly 3,500 Lebanese killed. Thirty-six Lebanese soldiers have been killed although Lebanon is not actually a combatant in the conflict, which is against Hezbollah.

Both Hezbollah and the Lebanese government have reportedly agreed to a ceasefire to end the Israeli invasion. Israel has yet to formally respond, but there is considerable pessimism about that possibility, as the far-right in the Israeli government oppose any end to the war, and top officials suggest they would reject any terms that actually require attacks on Lebanon to stop.

A ceasefire in Lebanon would potentially allow tens of thousands of displaced Israelis to return their homes in northern Israel. It would also potentially let the more than a million displaced Lebanese return to their homes as well. But while US negotiators may retain high hopes for this outcome, most on the ground aren’t as positive as past proposals have come and gone with little to no actual change in the situation.