Greenberg, who was leading the unit at the front of the formation, was hit during the exchange and was killed.
By The IDF Club
The Israel Defense Forces cleared for publication that an IDF soldier was killed during combat operations in southern Lebanon early Thursday morning.
The soldier was identified as Staff Sgt. Ori Greenberg, 21, from Petah Tikva, a fighter in the Golani Brigade’s reconnaissance unit.
The incident occurred during a nighttime operation inside a village in southern Lebanon, where Golani reconnaissance forces were advancing toward terror targets under cover. At approximately 2:10 a.m., terrorists who had been hiding inside a nearby building opened heavy fire on the force.
Greenberg, who was leading the unit at the front of the formation, was hit during the exchange and was killed. Two additional soldiers were wounded in the incident and were evacuated under fire to a helicopter landing zone before being transported to hospitals in Israel for further treatment.
Israeli forces returned heavy fire toward the source of the attack, and soldiers identified and eliminated several of the terrorists involved, preventing further casualties. The IDF said the fighting took place in dense, built-up terrain where terrorists operate from civilian structures and carry out ambushes against Israeli forces.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued a statement following the incident, saying he and his wife, “together with all the citizens of Israel, share in the deep sorrow of the family of Staff Sgt. Ori Greenberg, who fell in battle in southern Lebanon,” adding that he “fought with bravery and courage to defend our northern border.”
The mayor of Petah Tikva also paid tribute to Greenberg, calling him “one of the finest sons of the city, a brave fighter who went out to defend the people of Israel and did not return,” and said the entire city is mourning his loss.
