Fires burn as a result of rockets launched from Lebanon into northern Israel, next to the city of Kiryat Shamoun close to the Lebanon border, on June 4, 2024, amid ongoing cross-border clashes between Israeli troops and Hezbollah fighters. (Credits: Jack Gyez / AFP)
The Israeli military announced on Thursday that a soldier had been killed in the north where troops are engaged in daily border clashes with Hezbollah.
The soldier "fell fighting in the north" on Wednesday, the military said in a statement, after Hezbollah launched two explosive drones on the Israeli town of Hurfeish.
The army did not specify the exact location of the death of the soldier, who was identified as 39-year-old Staff Sergeant Refael Kauders.
The military correspondent of the Times of Israel newspaper reported that the soldier was killed in a drone attack which left nine others wounded, one in critical condition.
Wednesday's fatality bring the toll to at least 15 soldiers and 11 civilians killed on the Israeli side of the border with Lebanon, according to the military.
In Lebanon, the violence has killed at least 455 people, mostly fighters but including 88 civilians, according to an AFP tally.
Since the Gaza war broke out on Oct. 7 the Israeli military has lost 645 soldiers.
Israel has vowed to eliminate Hamas and its bombardment and ground offensive in Gaza have so far killed at least 36,586 people, also mostly civilians, according to the territory's health ministry.