Israel announces names of 4 IDF soldiers killed in Hezbollah drone attack on military base near Binyamina

By Sunita Iyer | First Published Oct 14, 2024, 12:10 PM IST

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have announced the names of four soldiers who were tragically killed in a drone strike by Hezbollah on a military base near Binyamina in north-central Israel on Sunday.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have announced the names of four soldiers who were tragically killed in a drone strike by Hezbollah on a military base near Binyamina in north-central Israel on Sunday.

The fallen soldiers were identified as:

Sgt. Omri Tamari, 19, from Mazkeret Batya.
Sgt. Yosef Hieb, 19, from Tuba Zangariya.
Sgt. Yoav Agmon, 19, from Binyamina-Giv’at Ada.
Sgt. Alon Amitay, 19, from Ramot Naftali.

🚨🇮🇱🇱🇧ISRAEL NAMES 4 SOLDIERS KILLED IN HEZBOLLAH DRONE ATTACK

Sgt. Omri Tamari, 19, from Mazkeret Batya, Sgt. Yosef Hieb, 19, from Tuba Zangariya, Sgt. Yoav Agmon, 19, from Binyamina-Giv’at Ada, and Sgt. Alon Amitay, 19, from Ramot Naftali all lost their lives when a drone… pic.twitter.com/IG2vZ5x4El

— Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal)

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The drone attack, which occurred shortly before 7 p.m., targeted a training base of the IDF’s Golani Brigade, with Hezbollah claiming responsibility for the operation, boasting of their capability to strike Israel amidst ongoing military actions in southern Lebanon.

Also read: 'Defend your people, country...' Hezbollah releases audio of Nasrallah two weeks after his death (LISTEN)

According to reports, the drone struck a dining hall within the base, leading to the deaths of these four soldiers and injuring 58 others. Seven soldiers were reported to have sustained serious injuries, with an additional 14 suffering moderate injuries.

15 פצועים, בהם אנוש וקשה, בפגיעת כטב״מ ליד בנימינה. הוכרז אר"ן.
איחוד הצלה: צוותי הרפואה של איחוד הצלה מעניקים בדקות אלו סיוע ראשוני למספר רב של נפגעים (מעל 20) בזירת האירוע בגזרת בנימינה. חלקם במצב קשה.
מד"א: שלושה פצועים אנוש וחמישה קשה באירוע ליד בנימינה.
ככל הנראה לא הופעלה… pic.twitter.com/SYESM9N6dY

— Asslan Khalil (@KhalilAsslan)

IDF spokesman Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari addressed the incident in a statement, confirming that the circumstances surrounding the attack were under investigation. Notably, the drone did not trigger any warning sirens prior to the strike, raising concerns about Israel's air defense mechanisms.

“The IDF has full operational control over the incident,” he stated, urging the public to avoid spreading rumors while facts were still being established. He emphasized the necessity for improved protection against such UAV threats, stating, “We will investigate this incident, learn from it, and improve.”

אמש, כלי טיס בלתי מאויש של ארגון הטרור חיזבאללה פגע בבסיס צבאי סמוך לבנימינה. כלל הפצועים פונו לבתי החולים והודעה נמסרה למשפחותיהם.

באירוע נהרגו ארבעה חיילי צה״ל ושבעה חיילים נפצעו באורח קשה>> pic.twitter.com/H2z3fbm2Mz

— צבא ההגנה לישראל (@idfonline)

הרמטכ״ל, רב-אלוף הרצי הלוי, הגיע אמש לבסיס האימונים של חטיבת גולני וקיים תחקיר ראשוני עם המפקדים.
הרמטכ״ל שוחח עם המפקדים וצוותי הרפואה בבסיס >> pic.twitter.com/hzEobnplA5

— צבא ההגנה לישראל (@idfonline)

Initial investigations revealed that two “Mirsad” drones, known in Iran as Ababil-T, were launched by Hezbollah from the sea and that while one was intercepted by Israeli forces, the second successfully reached its target. The drones are capable of carrying up to 40 kilograms of explosives and can operate at altitudes of up to 3,000 meters.

Following the attack, Magen David Adom coordinated with IDF medical teams to provide immediate treatment to the injured before transporting them to hospitals across the country. Most of the wounded were taken to Hillel Yaffe Medical Center in Hadera, with others sent to Sheba Hospital in Ramat Gan, Ramban Hospital in Haifa, and Rabin Medical Center in Petah Tikva.

“We are at war, and an attack on a training base on the home front is difficult and the results are painful. You operated well to treat and evacuate the wounded and injured. Embrace the bereaved families, accompany the wounded, and strengthen the commanders and soldiers.”… pic.twitter.com/iYJOLSP6m9

— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF)

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The deadly drone strike comes amid escalating tensions in the region, with Hezbollah having launched numerous projectiles into Israeli territory. In total, over 115 projectiles were fired by the group on the same day as the drone attack, although no injuries were reported from those incidents.

In response to the ongoing threats from Hezbollah, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant reaffirmed Israel's commitment to preventing Hezbollah from reestablishing its presence along the Lebanon border. Gallant highlighted the military operations currently targeting Hezbollah’s infrastructure, emphasizing the necessity to ensure the safety of northern communities in Israel.

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