METULA, Israel — The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed on Tuesday, March 31, 2026, that four soldiers were killed and several others wounded during a fierce, close-quarters battle with Hezbollah operatives in Southern Lebanon. The engagement, which took place late Monday evening, marks one of the deadliest single incidents for Israeli ground forces since the expansion of the offensive into Lebanese territory on March 2.
The incident occurred at approximately 6:30 PM in the rugged western sector of the border region, where members of the Nahal Brigade’s Reconnaissance Unit were conducting clearing operations when they spotted a cell of Hezbollah gunmen.
A direct exchange of fire ensued at extremely close range, resulting in the deaths of four soldiers; the IDF has released the names of three of the fallen—Capt. Noam Madmoni (22), Staff Sgt. Ben Cohen (21), and Staff Sgt. Maxsim Entis (21)—while the identity of the fourth is being withheld pending family notification.
During the subsequent complex medical evacuation of the wounded, Hezbollah launched an anti-tank guided missile (ATGM) at the rescue team, which, while causing no additional fatalities, significantly hindered the extraction process under heavy fire.
The deaths bring the total number of Israeli troops killed in this specific theater to six since the start of the month. In direct response to the ambush, the IDF utilized tank shelling and targeted airstrikes to neutralize the remaining threats in the area.
This escalation follows the joint U.S.-Israeli military offensive against Iran launched on February 28; since then, Lebanese health authorities report that over 1,247 people have been killed and 3,690 injured due to ongoing airstrikes and ground incursions.
The rising toll on both sides is drawing intense international scrutiny, prompting the UN Security Council to schedule an emergency meeting following reports that three UN peacekeepers were killed in southern Lebanon within a 24-hour window—a tragedy that raises critical questions about the safety of international observers in active combat zones.
On the domestic front, Hezbollah has maintained its offensive by launching drone and rocket barrages into Northern Israel, including a recent missile strike that ignited a massive fire at an oil refinery in Haifa.
As the conflict enters its second month, Israeli officials have indicated that the campaign to push Hezbollah away from the border may transition into a "prolonged occupation" of the southern belt to ensure the long-term safety of residents in the north.