Emanuel (Mannie) Fabian is The Times of Israel's military correspondent
Israeli researcher Zeev Erlich seen in IDF uniform before entering into southern Lebanon on November 20, 2024, hours before he was killed in a gun battle with Hezbollah operatives. (Chaim Goldberg/Flash90)
A 71-year-old Israeli civilian who entered southern Lebanon today, accompanied by a senior IDF officer, without the required approvals, was killed during a gun battle with Hezbollah operatives.
According to an initial IDF probe, the chief of staff of the Golani Brigade, Col. Yoav Yarom, allowed Israeli researcher Zeev Erlich, 71, to enter the western sector of southern Lebanon to examine an archaeological site — an ancient fortress.
Despite the belief that the area had been cleared, two Hezbollah operatives were hiding at the site and opened fire at the researcher, senior officer, and other soldiers who were accompanying them.
Erlich was killed in the incident.
Erlich had entered southern Lebanon while armed and in IDF uniform, despite apparently not being an active duty soldier or in reserves.
Still, he is being recognized retroactively by the military as a fallen IDF soldier.
Israeli researcher Ze’ev Erlich. (IDF Spokesman)
The IDF says it is investigating the “serious incident” and vows to look into all the circumstances that led to the civilian entering southern Lebanon without the required approvals.
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