IDF announces death of Sgt. Refael Kauders, 39, killed by Hezbollah drone attack

Sgt. (res.) Refael Kauders, 39, was killed on Wednesday following a Hezbollah drone attack on Hurfeish, the IDF announced early Thursday morning.

He was seriously wounded and transferred to a hospital in the region for immediate medical treatment. He succumbed to his wounds, and his family was informed.

Kauders, a reservist from Tzur Hadassah, was promoted to the rank of sergeant posthumously.

The military listed the late sergeant as the "tradition and spirit" coordinator in Battalion 5030. He was a member of the 2298th Alon Brigade.

The late Kauders was one of 12 wounded to varying degrees by the drone attack on the Druze town of Hurfeish in the Upper Galilee, armed with explosives that erupted minutes apart from one another. At least one other was seriously wounded, and her family had been notified.

Israeli media reported that the attack had not triggered an alert from the unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). The drones reportedly exploded on a town soccer field and were aimed at harming first responders.

Israeli Air Force fighter jets attacked a series of Hezbollah targets throughout the night in Lebanese territory.

Growing number of fallen soldiers

Since October 7, 645 IDF soldiers have died in their mission to protect Israel.

Several soldiers are still held captive in the Gaza Strip by Hamas after being kidnapped.