IDF Soldier Killed in Southern Lebanon

Staff Sgt. Negev Dagan, 20, from Dekel, was killed while fighting Hezbollah terrorists near the Litani River in southern Lebanon, the IDF confirmed. According to The Jerusalem Post, Hezbollah fired a mortar toward his unit, and one of the shells exploded nearby. Medics attempted to save his life but ultimately declared him dead. Dagan was posthumously promoted to the rank of Staff Sgt. and honored by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Dagan is the sixth soldier to have fallen in combat since the ceasefire came into effect, Kadosh (army radio) noted.

“Along with all citizens of Israel, my wife and I share in the heavy loss and send our deepest condolences to the family of Golani Brigade fighter, Staff-Sgt. Negev Dagan, of blessed memory, who fell in battle in southern Lebanon,” Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said.

“We all embrace his family and dear ones at this hour of grief, and salute the heroism and courage with which Negev, of blessed memory, has fought to defend our country. May his memory be blessed and cherished forever,” he added.

Meanwhile, as talks between Lebanon and Israel continue in Washington, Israel’s public broadcaster reported that an agreement involving the withdrawal of IDF forces from Lebanon in exchange for Hezbollah’s disarmament is increasingly likely. The CIA is reportedly preparing a plan to remove the group’s weapons. The U.S. State Department describes the talks as productive.

During the discussions, the IDF reported striking a Hezbollah rocket-launching site that had fired projectiles into Kiryat Shmona overnight. In response, the IDF carried out additional strikes on Hezbollah terror infrastructure in southern Lebanon.

The Fellowship and our supporters pray for the Dagan family and mourn alongside them. We also pray for renewed efforts to bring peace to Israel’s northern communities after years of suffering under Hezbollah attacks.