19 Soldiers Killed in Lebanon
IDF officials early Sunday morning report that 19 soldiers were killed in fighting over the Sabbath and 13 sustained serious injuries. Saturday was reported as the heaviest day of fighting in the war, which began 33 days ago.
In addition, an air force Yassur [Sikorsky CH53] helicopter was shot down by a Hizbullah anti-aircraft rocket on Saturday night. There were five crew members on board.
Cabinet Expected to Approve UN Ceasefire
The cabinet is expected to approve the UN-brokered ceasefire plan on Sunday morning. Officials report it will go into effect on Monday morning at 7:00am Israel time.
Main points of the ceasefire, UN Resolution 1701, include; an immediate halt to Hizbullah attacks against Israel and an immediate halt to military activities by Israel in Lebanon, the deployment of Lebanese army forces in southern Lebanon with UNIFIL forces, the deployment of IDF soldiers to coincide with the Lebanese troop deployment, calls to the international community to extend financial assistance to Lebanon, humanitarian assistance in addition to assisting in rebuilding the country’s infrastructure.
Conspicuously absent is a call to disarm Hizbullah and arrangement for the “immediate and unconditional release” of captive IDF soldiers, a clause that the prime minister and defense minister stated repeatedly would be a prerequisite for any ceasefire agreement.
Lebanon Accepts the Agreement
Lebanese lawmakers overwhelmingly accepted the agreement on Saturday, while citing a bone of contention surrounding a clause that acquits Israel of any “responsibility for crimes” while blaming Hizbullah for the war.
Officials in the Prime Minister’s Office stated that an Israeli troop withdrawal would not take place until the international stabilization force is in place.
Despite the impending ceasefire announced on Saturday, the IDF has close to tripled the number of forces operating in southern Lebanon, now about 30,000, permitting ground forces to make it to the Litani River.
Four of the soldiers were killed when a powerful bomb was detonated against a tank. Two others died in an anti-tank rocket against a tank, one from an anti-tank rocket fired at a building,
Two members of the Golani Infantry Brigade were killed when a tank accidentally ran them over in Shakif-al-Amal.
Rambam Medical Center Treats Most of the War Wounded
Dozens of soldiers wounded in southern Lebanon are admitted to Haifa’s Rambam Medical Center, with many listed in serious condition.
73 soldiers are recuperating in northern Israeli hospitals. Most are admitted to surgical, orthopedic, thoracic and neurological units following surgery.
A total of 49 arrived at Rambam on Saturday, with hospital officials on Sunday morning reporting 8 remain in serious condition and 8 moderate.
Names Cleared for Publication
Following are the names cleared for publication, including soldiers killed on Friday and Saturday
Friday, August 11th
1. Sergeant-Major Aaron Yehezkiel, 32, from Kfar Yedidya
Saturday, August 12th
2. Corporal Ya’ar Ben-Giat, 19, from Nachsholim
3. First-Sergeant Tzachi Kripas, 20, from Kibbutz Hama’apil
4. Sergeant Yosef Abitbul, 19, from Gan Ner
5. Sergeant Yaniv Temerson, 21, from Tzipori
6. Sergeant Yehonatan Ankonina, 21, from Netanya
7. First-Sergeant Itai Steinberger, 21, from Karmei Yosef
8. Corporal Tumar A'mar, 19, from Julis (Druze)
9. Captain Shai Bernstein, 24, from Be’er Sheva.
IDF officials early Sunday morning report that 19 soldiers were killed in fighting over the Sabbath and 13 sustained serious injuries. Saturday was reported as the heaviest day of fighting in the war, which began 33 days ago.
In addition, an air force Yassur [Sikorsky CH53] helicopter was shot down by a Hizbullah anti-aircraft rocket on Saturday night. There were five crew members on board.
Cabinet Expected to Approve UN Ceasefire
The cabinet is expected to approve the UN-brokered ceasefire plan on Sunday morning. Officials report it will go into effect on Monday morning at 7:00am Israel time.
Main points of the ceasefire, UN Resolution 1701, include; an immediate halt to Hizbullah attacks against Israel and an immediate halt to military activities by Israel in Lebanon, the deployment of Lebanese army forces in southern Lebanon with UNIFIL forces, the deployment of IDF soldiers to coincide with the Lebanese troop deployment, calls to the international community to extend financial assistance to Lebanon, humanitarian assistance in addition to assisting in rebuilding the country’s infrastructure.
Conspicuously absent is a call to disarm Hizbullah and arrangement for the “immediate and unconditional release” of captive IDF soldiers, a clause that the prime minister and defense minister stated repeatedly would be a prerequisite for any ceasefire agreement.
Lebanon Accepts the Agreement
Lebanese lawmakers overwhelmingly accepted the agreement on Saturday, while citing a bone of contention surrounding a clause that acquits Israel of any “responsibility for crimes” while blaming Hizbullah for the war.
Officials in the Prime Minister’s Office stated that an Israeli troop withdrawal would not take place until the international stabilization force is in place.
Despite the impending ceasefire announced on Saturday, the IDF has close to tripled the number of forces operating in southern Lebanon, now about 30,000, permitting ground forces to make it to the Litani River.
Four of the soldiers were killed when a powerful bomb was detonated against a tank. Two others died in an anti-tank rocket against a tank, one from an anti-tank rocket fired at a building,
Two members of the Golani Infantry Brigade were killed when a tank accidentally ran them over in Shakif-al-Amal.
Rambam Medical Center Treats Most of the War Wounded
Dozens of soldiers wounded in southern Lebanon are admitted to Haifa’s Rambam Medical Center, with many listed in serious condition.
73 soldiers are recuperating in northern Israeli hospitals. Most are admitted to surgical, orthopedic, thoracic and neurological units following surgery.
A total of 49 arrived at Rambam on Saturday, with hospital officials on Sunday morning reporting 8 remain in serious condition and 8 moderate.
Names Cleared for Publication
Following are the names cleared for publication, including soldiers killed on Friday and Saturday
Friday, August 11th
1. Sergeant-Major Aaron Yehezkiel, 32, from Kfar Yedidya
Saturday, August 12th
2. Corporal Ya’ar Ben-Giat, 19, from Nachsholim
3. First-Sergeant Tzachi Kripas, 20, from Kibbutz Hama’apil
4. Sergeant Yosef Abitbul, 19, from Gan Ner
5. Sergeant Yaniv Temerson, 21, from Tzipori
6. Sergeant Yehonatan Ankonina, 21, from Netanya
7. First-Sergeant Itai Steinberger, 21, from Karmei Yosef
8. Corporal Tumar A'mar, 19, from Julis (Druze)
9. Captain Shai Bernstein, 24, from Be’er Sheva.