Israeli army says blast kills two soldiers in southern Lebanon
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Two Israeli reservist officers were killed and four others seriously wounded in an explosion in the southern Lebanese town of Majdal Zun, the Israeli military said. The army later launched an airstrike on what it claimed was a Hezbollah building in the area. The incident occurred as US-mediated indirect talks between Israel and Lebanon entered a second day in Rome.
The Explosion
The blast killed Major Harel Birenstock, 34, and Master Sergeant Tamir Vaknin, 33, both of the 55th Parachute Brigade, as they entered a building in Majdal Zun, according to the Israeli military. Four other soldiers were seriously injured and evacuated to hospital. The army did not immediately specify the cause of the explosion but later attributed it to a Hezbollah-linked structure.
Retaliatory Strike
In response, the Israeli military launched an airstrike on what it described as a Hezbollah building in the same area. No casualty figures from that strike were immediately available. The move highlighted the risk of escalation even as diplomatic efforts continue.
Rome Talks and Broader Toll
The violence came during the second day of US-brokered indirect negotiations in Rome, held under a framework agreement signed by Israel and Lebanon on June 26. The pact calls for Israel’s gradual withdrawal from occupied Lebanese territory in exchange for the deployment of the Lebanese army and the disarmament of armed groups. Since March 2, Israel’s military operations in Lebanon have killed 4,333 people and wounded 12,250, according to the Lebanese Health Ministry.
What's Next
The Rome talks are scheduled to continue through Thursday. It remains unclear whether the latest clash will derail the fragile negotiation process.
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Israeli army says blast kills two soldiers in southern Lebanon
