IDF expands probe into unusually strong explosion that killed two reservists in Lebanon

An Israeli military investigation into the deaths of two reservists in southern Lebanon is broadening its scope. The blast that killed Maj. (res.) Harel Birenstock and M.-Sgt. (res.) Tamir Vaknin, both of the 55th Reserve Paratroopers Brigade, was unusually powerful for a standard explosive device. Four other soldiers were severely wounded during the combat mission in the village of Majdal Zoun.

The investigation is examining several leads. Initial findings suggested the soldiers entered a building after it was scanned, continued their mission, and then a powerful explosive device detonated as they passed by a second time. The prevailing assessment within the IDF is that it was an old explosive device.

However, the scope of the probe is expanding due to the blast's abnormal strength. Air Force officials noted that a bomb dropped months earlier on a structure over a hundred meters away did not cause a similar effect. This has led to a re-evaluation of the possibility of unexploded ordnance, which was initially largely ruled out.

Adding another layer of complexity, Northern Command confirmed Hezbollah's active presence and attempts to challenge the IDF in the area. This has raised the possibility that a Hezbollah force tampered with the explosive device specifically to target IDF operations. The investigation remains ongoing and has not yet been finalized by the Head of Northern Command, Maj. Gen. Rafi Milo.

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Hezbollah is active in the area and is attempting to challenge the IDF, so it cannot be ruled out that a Hezbollah force tampered with the explosive device to target IDF forces operating in the sector.