The squad entered a booby-trapped house, where an explosive device detonated upon their entry, causing part of the building to collapse. Troops rushed to assist the reservists trapped beneath the rubble, and Birenstock and Vaknin were evacuated along with four other reservists who were wounded to varying degrees.<\/p>\n
Israeli soldiers are seen inside southern Lebanon as seen from the Israeli side of the border, July 26, 2026 (credit: AYAL MARGOLIN\/FLASH90)<\/p>\n
The IDF called the explosion a \u201cblatant violation\u201d of the ceasefire, and struck weapon storage sites and command centers in southern Lebanon, while also issuing evacuation warnings to the town of Mansouri. The Lebanese health ministry said on Wednesday one person was killed and 12 others were wounded in an Israeli strike on the southern town of Tibnin, about 25 kilometers from Mansouri.<\/p>\n
The exchange took place as the latest round of talks between Israel and Lebanon continued in Rome, after the two countries agreed in June to a US-brokered security arrangement intended to ease hostilities along the border.<\/p>\n
The last time an IDF soldier was killed in Lebanon was on June 28, a little over a month ago, when Capt. David Hazzut, 21, from Ashkelon, was killed in an encounter with a Hezbollah fighter.<\/p>\n
Birenstock\u2019s funeral is scheduled to begin at the Mount Herzl Military Cemetery in Jerusalem at noon. Vaknin\u2019s is scheduled for Thursday evening at the military cemetery in Eilat.<\/p>\n
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday afternoon eulogized them and offered his condolences as well, saying \u201cHarel and Tamir were among our finest sons, courageous fighters who reported for reserve duty and fought heroically to defend the residents of the north and the State of Israel.\u201d<\/p>\n
He added, \u201cMay the memory of our heroes be blessed and enshrined in the heart of the nation.\u201d<\/p>\n