Four Israeli soldiers killed in Southern Lebanon
(JNS) — Four IDF soldiers were killed battling Iranian-backed Hezbollah terrorists in Southern Lebanon, the military said on Apr. 1.
The four soldiers were reportedly killed during a close-range exchange of fire with Hezbollah terrorists in the western sector of Southern Lebanon.
Three other troops were wounded in the incident, one seriously, the military stated. They were evacuated to Israel for medical treatment and their families were informed.
The total death toll among Israeli troops since the Hamas-led Oct. 7, 2023, cross-border massacre now stands at 935. Ten soldiers have been killed since the expansion of ground operations in Southern Lebanon in early March.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that “the heart of the entire nation aches over the fall of four heroic Nahal Brigade Reconnaissance Unit fighters.”
“My wife and I, along with all citizens of Israel, send our deepest condolences to the dear families and pray for the speedy recovery of the wounded,” he said in a statement published by his office. “Our brave soldiers fell in defense of our country after fighting with courage and utmost devotion against the Hezbollah terrorist organization.”
“We will continue to forcefully strike at our enemies in order to ensure the security of the residents of the north and all citizens of Israel. May the memory of our heroes be blessed and enshrined in our hearts forever,” the premier added.
Israeli-American soldier Moshe Katz, killed in Lebanon rocket strike, laid to rest on Mt. Herzl
(JTA) — Hundreds gathered on Sunday night at Israel’s military cemetery on Mt. Herzl for the funeral of Moshe Yitzchak Hacohen Katz, an American-born Israeli soldier who was killed by a rocket strike on Saturday in southern Lebanon.
Katz, 22, from New Haven, Connecticut, is the fifth Israeli soldier killed in Lebanon since Hezbollah, an Iranian proxy in Lebanon, resumed attacks on Israel following a 2024 ceasefire, after Israeli and U.S. strikes on Iran last month.
“With unspeakable tragedy I regret to inform you that my 22 year old son Moshe Yitzchak a*h a sergeant in the idf, fell in battle in Lebanon,” Katz’s father, Mendy, wrote in a post on social media on Mar 29. “My oldest Son with a zest for life and jokes. Burial is tomorrow in israel. Maybe we only share good news. My heart is shattered and the wound is real.”
Mendy Katz had been in Israel when the war began and posted on March 7 about witnessing his son’s graduation from basic training with the Israel Defense Forces before returning to the United States via Egypt.
During the funeral on Mar 29, Katz, who was posthumously promoted from corporal to sergeant and was affiliated with Chabad, was eulogized by a host of fellow soldiers who referred to him as a “true friend” who “always used to make sure that anyone around him was always taken care of.”
Hezbollah will pay heavy price for rocket fire during Passover, Katz vows
(JNS) — Defense Minister Israel Katz vowed on Thursday to exact “a very heavy price” on Hezbollah for launching a barrage of rockets at Israeli civilians during the Passover meal the previous day.
Recording his message during a situational assessment at the Kirya military headquarters in Tel Aviv, Katz drew a parallel between Hezbollah attacking civilians as they sat down to celebrate the Seder night marking the Exodus of the people of Israel from Egypt, and the Amalekites, an ancient nomadic nation, which, according to the Bible, attacked the people of Israel when they left Egypt.
He directly addressed secretary-general of Hezbollah Naim Qassem, saying that he will not live to see Israel’s retribution, “because you will be deep at the bottom of hell together with [his predecessor] Hassan Nasrallah, [Iran’s slain supreme leader] Ali Khamenei, [Hamas late leader] Yahya Sinwar, and all those eliminated from the axis of evil.”
“But the terrorist organization Hezbollah, which you now lead, and its supporters in Lebanon, will pay an extremely heavy price. The fire will not deter us — the Israeli home front is strong, and the Israel Defense Forces is strong and determined, and there will be no return to the reality that existed before Oct. 7, [2023],” the defense minister continued, referring to the largely passive foreign policy of the Jewish state before the Hamas-led surprise attack on southern Israel.
Israel ends all defense deals with France
(JNS) — Israel’s Defense Ministry has halted all defense procurement from France due to what it views as Paris’s hostile stance toward Jerusalem in the aftermath of Hamas’s Oct. 7, 2023, massacre, Hebrew media reported on Apr 1.
Israeli Defense Ministry Director-General Amir Baram decided to end all contracts with France and instead rely on Israeli-made equipment and purchases from friendly countries, according to Israel’s Channel 12 News.
The move follows French restrictions on Israeli participation in defense exhibitions and its support for a U.N. resolution calling for an arms embargo on Israel.
In the middle of the June 12-day war with Iran, Israel accused the French government of blocking parts of the Israeli pavilion at the Paris Air Show, breaking understandings reached on Israel’s participation and the principles of equality. Baram at the time called the move “absolutely, bluntly antisemitic” and accused France of “commercial exclusion to prevent successful Israeli industries from competing with French ones.”
In a statement then, the Defense Ministry said the French government’s action “comes at a time when Israel is fighting a necessary and just war to eliminate the nuclear and ballistic threat facing the Middle East, Europe and the entire world.”
In 2024, a Paris court struck down restrictions on Israeli companies requested by the French Defense Ministry regarding the Eurosatory 2024 defense show, ruling they violated the principles of equality.
IDF launches podcast available on Apple, Spotify, YouTube
(JNS) — The Israel Defense Forces announced on Apr. 1 the launch of its official podcast.
Named “IDF Podcast,” it will “reveal fascinating stories and bring to the forefront our soldiers in the regular forces, career army and reserves,” IDF Spokesperson Brig. Gen. Effie Defrin wrote on social media.
The first episode featured a former company commander in the Paratroopers Reconnaissance Battalion, as well as a reservist officer and combat soldier.
The episodes are broadcast in Hebrew and are available on Apple, Spotify, YouTube and the IDF’s official website.
