IDF Names Fourth Soldier Killed in Tank Disaster in Southern Lebanon

The IDF Spokesperson announced this morning (Sunday) that Staff Sgt. Naveh Chabshush of blessed memory, 20, from the community of Geva Binyamin-Adam, is the fourth fallen soldier killed in the battalion commander’s tank disaster that took place on the night between Thursday and Friday in southern Lebanon.

Chabshush served as the tank commander for the commander of Battalion 52 in the 401st Brigade. Also killed in the disaster were the battalion commander, Lt. Col. Dor Gedalia Ben Shimshon, 32, from Kibbutz Beit HaShita; Staff Sgt. Liav Kababia, 20, from Hod HaSharon; and Staff Sgt. Yoav Klein, 21, from Herzliya.

The incident took place around 12:20 a.m. During operational activity in the village of Tebnit, a suspicious target struck the tank carrying the four soldiers. As a result of the impact, all of the tank’s occupants were killed.

Chabshush was born and raised in the community of Adam and studied in local schools. After finishing high school, he continued to the pre-military academy in Beit Yatir, and later enlisted in the Armored Corps. During his service, he successfully completed the tank commanders’ course and served as the tank commander for the commander of Battalion 52. According to his family, he had planned to continue on to officers’ training and remain on the command track in the IDF.

In recent months, he took part in the fighting in Lebanon as part of his role as a tank commander. His father, Haim, spoke about the sense of mission that accompanied his son throughout his military service: "He was מאוד proud of what he was doing. To be at the tip of the spear. He felt it was deeply meaningful."

Chabshush is the third fallen soldier from Geva Binyamin since the start of the war, and the 64th casualty from the Binyamin Regional Council during this period. He is survived by his parents, Haim and Einav, and his sisters, Noam and Nessia.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu eulogized him: ״The heart of the nation grieves the fall of four of our finest sons - Staff Sgt. Yoav Klein, Master Sgt. Nir Ben Ari, Staff Sgt. Liav Kababia, and Staff Sgt. Naveh Chabshush, may Hashem avenge their blood, who fell in battle in Lebanon״.

He added: ״My wife and I send our deepest condolences to the dear families who lost what was most precious to them. Together with all the citizens of Israel, we embrace them in their difficult hour and pray for the recovery of our wounded soldiers. Yoav, Nir, Liav, and Naveh fought with courage and extraordinary heroism on the front line against the Hezbollah terror organization in order to protect Israel’s security. We will continue to do everything necessary to restore security to the residents of the north. May their memory be a blessing״.