IDF reserve soldier killed, three injured in tank accident on northern border

An Israeli soldier was killed and three others were injured when a tank overturned in northern Israel overnight, the military said Monday.

Sgt. First Class Yinon Fleischman, 31, a reserve soldier from Jerusalem, died in the incident, the military said.

He was buried in Jerusalem’s Mount Herzl Military Cemetery later in the day.

According to Galilee Medical Center, another soldier aged 33 was in critical condition, and a third soldier, 28, was in moderate condition. A fourth soldier, 26, was lightly wounded.

Fleischman was originally from the West Bank settlement of Efrat. Local council head Oded Revivi sent a message to the community notifying them that Fleischman “fell while fulfilling his duty on the northern border.”

He said Fleischman is survived by his wife Noa and infant son Ziv, as well as his parents and five siblings.

The military did not immediately provide details about the circumstances of the incident that occurred as the tank drove along a border path near the northern town of Rosh Hanikra. It said it was investigating.

The incident comes amid a high alert and frequent skirmishes along the northern border with Hezbollah and Palestinian terror groups based in Lebanon and threats they could open a second front as Israel battles Hamas in Gaza.

Several rocket volleys were fired from Lebanon at northern Israel on Sunday, and the IDF said it hit terror cells and sites belonging to Hezbollah.

According to the IDF, rockets were launched from Lebanon at the upper and western Galilee several times throughout the day, setting off sirens in towns including Kiryat Shmona, Nahariya, Shlomi, Tuba-Zangariyye, Rosh Pina, Ayelet Hashahar, and Hatzor Haglilit.

Several of the projectiles were intercepted by air defenses, while others landed in open areas, causing no damage, according to the IDF. One rocket directly hit a home in Kiryat Shmona but did not cause any injuries.

The IDF said it responded with artillery shelling against the sources of the rocket fire.

Also Sunday, the IDF said it struck two terror cells in southern Lebanon preparing to carry out anti-tank guided missile attacks against northern Israel.

Amid the repeated attacks from Lebanon, the military and Defense Ministry have evacuated 42 border communities and the city of Kiryat Shmona. Many residents in northern towns independently evacuated southward amid the escalating attacks.

Iran-backed Hezbollah has fired dozens of anti-tank guided missiles, rockets, and mortars at Israeli military positions and Israeli towns since the murderous October 7 Hamas onslaught. It also sent gunmen — some affiliated with Palestinian terror groups — to infiltrate northern Israel. Several drones have been intercepted over northern Israel.

The IDF has reported striking dozens of terror cells in southern Lebanon in recent days.

The attacks from Lebanon have so far remained limited in scope, amid threats from Israel that Lebanon will suffer if Hezbollah steps up its assault.

Six Israeli soldiers, at least 48 Hezbollah gunmen, and eight Palestinian gunmen have been killed in the exchanges. One Israeli civilian was killed in a Hezbollah attack, and four Lebanese civilians and a journalist were also reported killed by Israeli shelling.