SOUTHERN LEBANON — Five Israeli Defense Force (IDF) soldiers died, and thirteen were injured in southern Lebanon within 24 hours of a ceasefire announcement. These casualties followed Hezbollah's launch of over 50 projectiles at IDF soldiers in the Lebanon buffer zone overnight.

Staff Sergeant Yoav Klein, 21, of the 52nd Battalion, 401st Brigade, was killed in combat. Sergeant First Class Nir Ben-Ari, 21, of the Maglan Unit, Commando Brigade, was also killed in combat in southern Lebanon. Ben-Ari is believed to be the sole soldier killed during Hezbollah's overnight attacks, while thirteen other soldiers sustained injuries during these assaults.

Lieutenant Colonel Dor Gedalia Ben-Simhon died when a suspicious object struck a tank in the area of the village of Tebnit. His death was announced on Friday. Two other soldiers also died in the same incident when a suspicious object impacted their tank in Tebnit; their names have not been cleared for publication. The tank belonged to Battalion 52 forces operating under the Givati Brigade.

The IDF conducted retaliatory strikes on Hezbollah targets in southern Lebanon, including rocket launch positions, weapons storage facilities, and command centers. Lebanese authorities reported that at least 20 people were killed in these strikes in Lebanon. The IDF stated that Hezbollah's launch of over 50 projectiles constituted a "blatant ceasefire violation."

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz issued an order on Saturday for the IDF to hold fire until further notice. The IDF stated it remains committed to the ceasefire and will act to "remove any threat posed to the State of Israel and IDF soldiers."