The Israel Defense Forces announced on Thursday that Chief Sergeant First Class (res.) Alexander Filin, aged 29 from Haifa, was killed during operations in southern Lebanon.

Filin served as a combat soldier attached to the 36th Division command post.

He died when troops from the 36th Division and the Givati Brigade were advancing on foot near the Litani River and a Hezbollah-planted IED detonated close to the group around 5 p.m. on Wednesday.

At least seven additional soldiers sustained injuries in the blast, according to the military.

Among the wounded were an IDF officer, a reserve officer, and another reserve soldier, all listed in moderate condition.

The officer was the 36th Division deputy commander holding the rank of colonel, while the reserve officer commanded the 556th Battalion at the rank of lieutenant-colonel.

Further casualties included one combat NCO and three reserve soldiers, one of them a woman, who suffered light wounds.

Following the explosion, IDF artillery struck terror targets in the vicinity.

The military continues to investigate the circumstances of the attack.

Haifa Mayor Yona Yahav released a statement conveying deep sorrow over Filin's death and offering condolences to his family.

Double Hezbollah drone attack wounds five IDF soldiers

In a separate event on Wednesday morning, two Hezbollah explosive drones injured five soldiers active in southern Lebanon.

The first drone struck near a Givati Brigade tank in the early hours of Tuesday, with shrapnel wounding four soldiers who were airlifted to hospital for treatment.

Minutes later a second drone detonated, injuring a fifth soldier who was also evacuated.

One soldier was severely wounded, two sustained moderate injuries, and two suffered light wounds.

The IDF responded by shelling terror infrastructure in the area.

Amir Bohbot contributed to this report.