Explosive Drone Hits IDF Force in Lebanon, Leaving 401st Brigade Commander Seriously Wounded

The IDF Spokesperson said this evening (Wednesday) that earlier today, a combat officer with the rank of lieutenant colonel was seriously wounded and a reserve combat officer was moderately wounded as a result of an explosive drone striking in southern Lebanon. In addition, an IDF reservist soldier was lightly injured in the incident. The fighters were evacuated to the hospital for medical treatment, and their families were notified.

It was later cleared for publication that the officer who was seriously wounded is the commander of the 401st Armored Brigade, Col. Meir Biderman. He was appointed to the role in October 2024, after the fall of the brigade’s previous commander, Col. Ahsan Daqsa, in battle in Jabaliya, in the Gaza Strip.

Biderman, 41, is married and a father of three from Modi'in. He enlisted in the Armored Corps in 2003. After completing the tank commanders’ course and officers’ course, he commanded an armored platoon during the days of the Second Intifada and took part in operational fighting in the various sectors. Over the course of his service, he held a series of key command positions, including commander of Battalion 53, commander of Battalion 195, deputy commander of the Paratroopers Brigade, commander of the Jordan Valley Brigade, and deputy commander of Division 162.