Cleared for publication: Sgt. Liran Ben Zion, an IDF soldier from the 401st Armored Brigade and a resident of Holon, was killed Sunday night after being struck by an anti-tank missile. In two separate incidents on the same day, three soldiers were seriously wounded and three others moderately wounded.
Two of the seriously wounded soldiers were struck by an anti-tank missile, while a third was wounded when a UAV struck near his unit inside Lebanese territory.
Holon Mayor Shai Kinan said, "With great sorrow, I announce the death of Sgt. Liran Ben Zion, a hero of Israel and Holon. Liran, a fighter in Battalion 9, fell last night in combat in southern Lebanon at the age of only 19. Keren and Eyal, dear family, you have made an unimaginable sacrifice, and the heart refuses to hold this pain. Liran's funeral will be held today at 6:00 p.m. at the military cemetery in Holon."
A string of difficult incidents in Lebanon
The incident occurred against the backdrop of intense IDF strikes in Lebanon. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced, "We have established security corridors inside enemy territory. In Lebanon, I have ordered the expansion of the existing security buffer zone and the final elimination of both the invasion threat and the anti-tank missile threat."
Along the Lebanese border, the home front endured yet another difficult 24 hours, as salvos of missiles and UAVs were fired at communities along the confrontation line. In one strike that morning, a truck driver was lightly wounded. The IDF continued to strike targets in Lebanon in response. Col. Avichay Adraee, the IDF's spokesman in Arabic, issued an evacuation notice to residents of eight neighborhoods in the Dahiyeh (the southern suburbs of Beirut, a Hezbollah stronghold) district of Lebanon.
On Sunday night, Sgt. Moshe Yitzhak HaKohen Katz, a fighter in Battalion 890 of the Paratroopers Brigade, was laid to rest. He had fallen in combat in southern Lebanon between Friday and Saturday. In the incident in which Katz was killed, three additional soldiers were moderately wounded after rockets were fired at IDF forces. Moshe was a lone soldier. His comrades, acquaintances, and family members – including his parents, who flew to Israel from the United States shortly after receiving the devastating news – accompanied him on his final journey.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said, "Together with all citizens of Israel, my wife and I extend our deepest condolences to the family of armored corps fighter Sgt. Liran Ben Tzion, who fell in combat in southern Lebanon. Liran fought bravely on the front line to defend our communities and citizens from the Hezbollah terrorist organization. We embrace Liran's family and share in their grief over this devastating loss. May his memory be a blessing, preserved forever."
Defense Minister Israel Katz said, "I wish to express my condolences to the family of Sgt. Liran Ben Zion, an armored corps fighter in the 401st Brigade, who fell in a heroic battle in southern Lebanon. Liran, 19 years old when he fell, fought alongside his comrades with dedication for the security of the State of Israel and the protection of residents of the north.
"I send wishes for a speedy recovery to the officer wounded in the incident, and to all wounded IDF soldiers, and I stand behind our brave fighters who continue to operate with determination on all fronts. The State of Israel will continue to pursue its enemies and strike them with full force wherever they attempt to harm us. May his memory be a blessing."
