IDF soldier KIA in Lebanon

An Israel Defense Forces soldier was killed in action in Southern Lebanon, the military announced on Monday morning.

The slain soldier was identified as Sgt. Nehoray Leizer, 19, from Eilat.

“Together with all the citizens of Israel, my wife and I mourn the fall of Combat Engineering Corps soldier Sgt. Nehorai Leizer, of blessed memory, who was killed in battle in Southern Lebanon,” Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu wrote on X. “Nehorai, of blessed memory, a wonderful young man from the city of Eilat, fought bravely and defended our northern border with devotion against the Hezbollah terrorist organization. We send our heartfelt condolences to his family and many friends and share in their deep sorrow. May his memory be blessed.”

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz mourned his death in an X post, describing him as “one of our finest” who was “imbued with a sense of mission and Zionism” from a young age, and offering condolences to his family.

An additional IDF soldier was seriously wounded in the incident. He was evacuated to a hospital and his family was notified. Katz in the same X post wished a speedy recovery to the wounded soldier, while praising Israeli troops continuing operations against enemy forces.

The military announced on Saturday night that Staff Sgt. Noam Hamburger, 23, a technology and maintenance specialist in the 9th Battalion of the 401st “Iron Tracks” Brigade, was killed in a Hezbollah explosive drone attack near the Lebanese border while engaged in operational activity in northern Israel.

A total of 948 Israeli troops have been killed on all fronts since the Hamas-led Oct. 7, 2023, massacre.