Two IDF Reservists Killed in Action on Northern Border

The IDF announced on Monday that two mobilized reserve soldiers, Master Sgt. (res.) Etay Azulay, 25, from Oranit, and Warrant Officer (res.) Aviv Magen, 43, from Herut, had succumbed to wounds they sustained when a mortar fired into Israel from Lebanon hit their position on Sunday evening. The mortar round was among dozens of projectiles fired into Israel by Hezbollah in the last 24 hours, also including a rocket that hit Haifa and another that hit Tiberius, wounding several people.

On Monday morning, a barrage of around 40 rockets was fired into Israel by Hezbollah, causing some damage to parked cars in a small village in the Galilee.

The IDF is reportedly moving larger numbers of troops across the border into southern Lebanon to find and destroy Hezbollah terrorists there, along with their tunnels, weapons, ammunition and military equipment.

The 91st “Galilee” Regional Division, has joined the already deployed 98th and 36th divisions, which have been operating in southern Lebanon since last week.

In a related story, three drones apparently fired by Iranian-sponsored militias in Iraq were fired into Israel overnight Sunday.

These developments follow a visit to Israel by US Central Command (CENTCOM) chief Gen. Michael Kurilla, who held consultations with IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi and other senior Israeli officials.

“The general’s visit dealt with the security issues at hand, with an emphasis on Iran and the northern front,” the IDF said.

Israel's security cabinet has also met in recent hours, amid widespread speculation about an Israeli attack on Iran to retaliate for last week's ballistic missile strikes. Some Western embassies have also withdrawn family members of diplomatic missions, as well as non-essential staff.