Sergeant First Class Maher Khatar from the northern Druze town of Majdal Shams and Staff Sgt. Or Damari of Liman were killed in combat in Lebanon, the IDF announced in a release cleared for publication.
Khatar, 38, and Damari, 20, both combat engineering equipment operators with the 91st Division, were killed when a D9 bulldozer was struck by what is believed to have been an anti-tank missile or mortar fire while en route to rescue a stalled IDF armored personnel carrier in the area.
Damari's family released a statement saying, "We are devastated by this tragedy and cannot process the loss of our beloved son. It is incomprehensible."
During the night, the missiles were fired at the Israeli forces while they were carrying out a rescue mission for a disabled vehicle at an outpost in southern Lebanon. A combat officer was also lightly wounded in the incident and was evacuated for medical treatment at a hospital. His family has been notified. Immediately following the missile fire, heavy barrages were directed at the area, and Israeli Air Force fighter jets struck numerous targets in the region.
In violation of the November 2024 ceasefire agreement with Israel, the Lebanon-based Hezbollah terrorist organization has attacked Israel alongside Iran, launching heavy missile barrages primarily at northern Israel. The IDF has responded with airstrikes in southern Lebanon, where Hezbollah maintains its main stronghold.
