IDF Reservist Lidor Porat, 31, Killed in Southern Lebanon Blast; Nine Others Wounded

The IDF Spokesperson cleared for publication this morning (Sunday) that Master Sgt. (res.) Lidor Porat, 31, from Ashdod, a soldier in Battalion 7106 of the 769th Regional Brigade, was killed in combat in southern Lebanon.

The incident occurred overnight, when a force from the 769th Brigade was operating along the forward defensive line in southern Lebanon. During the activity, an engineering vehicle operated by the force hit an explosive device planted by Hezbollah. As a result of the blast, Porat was killed, and nine other soldiers were wounded to varying degrees — one seriously, four moderately, and four lightly. All of the wounded received initial treatment at the scene and were then evacuated by helicopter to hospitals for further care.

Last night it was cleared for publication that Master Sgt. (res.) Barak Kalfon, 48, from the community of Adi, a soldier in Battalion 7056 of the 226th Brigade, was killed in fighting in the sector, in a separate incident in which two other soldiers were also wounded. Kalfon, HY"D, was married and the father of two daughters. Alongside his service as a reservist fighter, he worked at Rafael. Kalfon was born and raised in Kiryat Bialik, and for the past 11 years had lived in the community of Adi in the Jezreel Valley.