Two Israeli reservists were killed and four others seriously wounded Wednesday when an explosive device detonated as they entered a building in the southern Lebanon town of Majdal Zoun, the IDF announced Thursday morning. The deaths mark the first Israeli military casualties in Lebanon since the implementation of a shaky truce between Israel and the Iran-backed Lebanese militant group Hezbollah in June.
The slain troops were identified as Major (Res.) Harel Birenstock, 34, a company commander from Nokdim, and Chief Master Sergeant (Res.) Tamir Vaknin, 33, from Eilat. Both served in the 55th Paratroopers Brigade's 2855th Battalion. According to an initial IDF probe, troops from the reserve brigade entered the structure around noon while working to demolish Hezbollah infrastructure. An Israeli military official said "an explosion was detonated" when the soldiers entered a site and that the nature of the explosive was under review.
Birenstock, 34, was from Nokdim and is survived by his wife and four children, according to Hebrew media reports. He worked as an engineer at Elbit Systems. His brother Matan told Kan News, "He was a very family-oriented person with extraordinary vitality. He loved life, loved his family, loved spending time, running, hiking, being active. Everything he did expressed life. He also had the support of his wife and his children." A friend and colleague, Michael, told the broadcaster, "We've been together since I can remember. He was a model father to four children. He gave one hundred percent to keep all of us. He was an engineer at Elbit, and when he was called up, he put everything aside. We texted that morning asking when we could go cycling. He sent me a picture and wrote, 'Not soon, I'm going on an operation.' When I heard there was an incident, I wrote to him, but he didn't receive that message."
Gideon Rosenthal, head of the Gush Etzion Regional Council, mourned Birenstock's death in a statement: "We grieve the fall of Harel, who grew up in Gush Etzion and made his home here, and send condolences to his parents, wife, children, siblings, and entire family. I also send hugs and strength to my friends in the reserve paratroopers brigade (Brigade 55) who suffered a heavy blow today. I am here in the hills of Gush Etzion and my heart is with you in the hills of Lebanon. Love you very much."
Vaknin, 33, hailed from Eilat and is survived by his parents and two siblings. According to Hebrew media, his brother Yoav said, "Tamir had a big heart, everyone loved him. He made everyone in his unit laugh. His Reserves friends always said he was the heart of the unit." His cousin Sahar Martziano told Walla, "Tamir was the funny guy. He'd drop a word or sarcastic comment at exactly the right moment when everyone was quiet. When someone needed help, he was the first to come help without compensation, without questions, standing first. He was funny, sharp, cynical with a huge heart. An intelligent, principled kid who wouldn't give up a single day of Reserves. He would say, if I don't go, then who will protect the country."
Eilat's municipality issued a statement of mourning, saying Vaknin was "among the best of the sons of the city of Eilat" and a graduate of the Rabin High School in Eilat. The city said, "Hero of Israel, the salt of the earth, who fought with valor for the defense of the State of Israel. May his memory be blessed."
The wounded troops were evacuated to a hospital, and their families were notified, the military said. Birenstock's funeral is scheduled for Thursday at noon at the military cemetery on Mount Herzl in Jerusalem. Vaknin's funeral will be held Thursday evening at 7:20 p.m. at the military cemetery in Eilat.
Four IDF soldiers were injured in the explosion that killed Birenstock and Vaknin - they are all in serious condition.
