\u201cItamar always had a huge smile, and everyone who saw him understood what a kind smile and eyes he had, and how talented he was,\u201d Sapir\u2019s father-in-law Erez said.<\/p>\n
\t![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/idf-640x400.jpg\")
\n\t\tIsraeli soldiers taking position during a Hezbollah attack near the Israeli border with Lebanon in northern Israel, May 19, 2026. (Ayal Margolin\/Flash90)<\/p>\n
\u201cHe had a desire to do good in the world, wherever he was. We, the whole family, were privileged to be a part of his life,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n
Sapir is the eighth IDF soldier to be killed in southern Lebanon since the start of a ceasefire there on April 16, with the truce holding only partially and fighting continuing on a daily basis, albeit in a limited capacity. He is the 21st since hostilities between Israel and the terror group escalated amid the Iran war. A civilian contractor was also killed in southern Lebanon.<\/p>\n
Later on Tuesday, Hezbollah launched several drones from Lebanon, the military reported. One drone was intercepted, triggering sirens in several border communities.<\/p>\n
A couple of hours later, another drone struck Israeli territory, close to the border. According to the IDF, the drone had targeted soldiers.<\/p>\n
Two people were reportedly lightly wounded in the incident.<\/p>\n
The military struck more than 25 Hezbollah targets in southern Lebanon on Tuesday.<\/p>\n
\t![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/leb-1-640x400.jpg\")
\n\t\tIsraeli soldiers are seen on the Israeli border with Lebanon, northern Israel, May 18, 2026. (Ayal Margolin\/Flash90)<\/p>\n
The targets included weapon depots, command centers, rocket launchers used in previous attacks, and other infrastructure used by the terror group to advance attacks, according to the IDF.<\/p>\n
The IDF said it also struck Hezbollah operatives in the Cristofani Ridge area, located several kilometers north of Mount Hermon.<\/p>\n
Lebanon\u2019s health ministry reported that one of the strikes killed at least 10 people, including three women and three children.<\/p>\n
\u201cAn Israeli airstrike on the town of Deir Qanun al-Nahr in the Tyre district resulted in an initial toll of 10 martyrs, including three children and three women, in addition to three wounded, including a child,\u201d the ministry said in a statement, calling it a \u201cmassacre.\u201d<\/p>\n
The IDF did not immediately comment on the claim.<\/p>\n
The military also issued evacuation warnings for 12 villages and towns in southern Lebanon ahead of airstrikes targeting Hezbollah.<\/p>\n
Residents of Toura, Nabatiyeh at-Tahta, Habboush, al-Bazouriyah, Tayr Debba, Kfar Houneh, Ain Qana, Libbaya, Jibshit, ash-Shehabiyah, Burj al-Shamali and Houmine al-Faouqaare were instructed to evacuate at least a kilometer away.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnyone present near Hezbollah operatives, facilities, or combat equipment is putting their life at risk,\u201d army spokesman Col. Avichay Adraee said, citing alleged ceasefire violations by the terror group.<\/p>\n
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