Overview
- The attack, which struck shortly after 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, involved two explosive drones launched from Lebanon and left Sgt. Rotem Yanai critically injured and two reservists wounded.
- Sgt. Rotem Yanai, 20, a Givat Ada resident who served as a human‑resources coordinator in the Givati Brigade’s 435th Battalion, was later pronounced dead by medical personnel.
- Officials say Yanai was wearing personal protective gear and was moving toward a protected space when the first drone detonated and caused fatal injuries.
- Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the death brings the number of people killed since the Lebanon ceasefire to 12 and that eight of those deaths were caused by Hezbollah’s explosive drones.
- Explosive drones have emerged as a recurring, lethal tactic along the Israel‑Lebanon line and could push the military to change base defenses, raise alerts in northern communities, and intensify political pressure on Israel’s leadership.