Emanuel (Mannie) Fabian is The Times of Israel's military correspondent
Soldiers of the Golani Brigade's 13th Battalion operate in southern Lebanon, in a handout photo issued by the military on April 12, 2026. (Israel Defense Forces)
The IDF says troops killed a Hezbollah gunman responsible for killing Israeli soldier Staff Sgt. Touvel Yosef Lifshiz in southern Lebanon last week.
On Tuesday afternoon, troops of the Golani Brigade’s 13th Battalion exchanged fire with two Hezbollah operatives in a building.
During the gun battle, Lifshiz and one of the Hezbollah gunmen were killed, while the second terror operative managed to hide.
Staff Sgt. Touvel Yosef Lifshiz, who was killed in southern Lebanon on April 7, 2026. (Courtesy)
Two days later, the Golani soldiers returned to the site of the battle and identified an armed Hezbollah operative hiding under the rubble inside the building.
“The troops engaged and eliminated the terrorist with close-range fire,” the military says, adding that he was confirmed to be the second gunman.
In addition, the IDF says the soldiers also located the body of the first operative killed in the initial exchange of fire.
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From the Liveblog of
Sunday, April 12, 2026
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