Israeli officer killed, soldier hurt in clash with Hezbollah fighter in south

An Israeli officer has been killed and a soldier wounded in a clash with a Hezbollah fighter in southern Lebanon, the Israeli military announced Sunday. The incident marks a significant escalation just two days after Israel and Lebanon reached an agreement intended to end hostilities between the two nations.

Captain David Hazutt, 21, a platoon commander, "fell in combat" in southern Lebanon, according to the military. His death brings the total number of Israeli military casualties to 38 soldiers and one civilian contractor since the war between Israel and Hezbollah erupted in early March.

An Israeli army probe into the incident revealed that around 2 a.m. Sunday, Israeli soldiers entered a structure in the village of Deir Seryan when they encountered a Hezbollah operative. The ensuing clash resulted in Captain Hazutt's death and a minor injury to another soldier. Following the engagement, Israeli troops conducted searches for the operative and targeted Hezbollah sites in the vicinity.

The Lebanese state news agency reported a separate Israeli attack on Sunday, targeting the outskirts of the towns of Deir Seryan and Taybeh in southern Lebanon, indicating ongoing tensions despite the recent agreement.

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fell in combat