IDF Reservist Alexander Filin Killed, Seven Wounded in Hezbollah IED Blast Along Litani River
IDF reservist Alexander Filin, 29, was killed by a Hezbollah IED near the Litani River. Seven others wounded, including a senior division commander.
Master Sergeant (res.) Alexander Filin, 29, from Haifa, was killed in combat in southern Lebanon on Wednesday, the IDF announced Thursday morning. Filin was a combat soldier serving in the 36th Division's command post.
The incident took place at around 5 p.m. as a force from the forward command post of the 36th Division's deputy commander was operating on foot in the Litani River area when the blast occurred. According to an initial IDF inquiry, the explosion was apparently caused by an enemy explosive device, with the remaining details still under investigation.
Filin immigrated to Israel alone from Ukraine 14 years ago through the Naale program, which brings Jewish teenagers from abroad to study in Israel.
Seven other soldiers were wounded in the explosion. Three of the wounded were moderately injured, including the deputy division commander, a colonel, and a battalion commander in the 556th Transport Regiment, a reserve lieutenant colonel. A combat soldier, two combat reservists, and a servicewoman were lightly injured. All wounded were evacuated to hospitals and their families were notified.
In response to the attack, the IDF carried out artillery shelling targeting Hezbollah infrastructure in the area.
Earlier Wednesday, around 6 a.m., a Hezbollah FPV drone struck near a tank operated by Givati Brigade forces in the village of Tebnit. Four soldiers were wounded in the blast. Minutes later, as troops worked to evacuate the wounded, a second explosive drone struck the evacuation vehicle directly, wounding a fifth soldier. One was listed in serious condition, two were moderately wounded, and the others lightly hurt.
Filin is the 18th Israeli killed by Hezbollah since April 16, when Israel and Lebanon agreed to a ceasefire following mediation by U.S. President Donald Trump, and the first IDF casualty to be officially reported since Trump and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian signed a memorandum of understanding calling for the immediate and permanent termination of military operations on all fronts, including in Lebanon.
Defense Minister Israel Katz wrote: "Alexander reported for reserve duty time and again, driven by a profound sense of mission. I embrace his family during this difficult time."