The Israeli military has alleged that an explosive device that killed a Lebanese soldier in southern Lebanon was planted by Hezbollah.
According to The Times of Israel on July 18, 2026, the Lebanese Armed Forces said one soldier was killed, while an officer and another soldier were injured after a suspicious object detonated inside an army vehicle in the southern town of Mansouri.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said its assessment found that the explosive device did not belong to Israeli forces but had been planted by Hezbollah. The claim has not been independently verified.
The IDF also stated that its troops had not recently operated in Mansouri, although it described the area as being within its security zone. According to the military, the Lebanese army vehicle entered the area without prior coordination with Israeli authorities.
Israeli officials said uncoordinated movements in areas where Hezbollah is active increase security risks and urged Lebanese civilians and military personnel to coordinate movements in such locations.
The incident underscores continuing tensions along the Israel-Lebanon border, where Hezbollah’s presence and ongoing security concerns continue to complicate operations in the region.
