On Monday at noon in the Western Galilee, an exchange of fire resulted in the tragic death of Lieutenant Colonel Elim Abdullah, a 40-year-old native of the Druze township of Yanoch. Additionally, five other Israelis sustained injuries during the incident.

Lieutenant Colonel Abdullah, the deputy commander of the 300th Brigade in the Lebanon sector, was scheduled to conclude his service this coming Sunday. Following his fall in battle, six of his nephews received immediate reserve draft orders and returned home. A mourning pavilion was already established in his locality, and his funeral is scheduled for Tuesday.

סגן מפקד חטיבה 300, סגן אלוף עלים עבדאללה, נהרג בהיתקלות עם מחבלים שחדרו לשטח ישראל מלבנון, כך התיר צה"ל לפרסם.
עבדללה בן 40, מהכפר יאנוח-ג'ת שבגליל המערבי. הוא הותיר אחריו אישה ושלושה ילדים. הוא נפל בהגנה על מדינת ישראל ועל בטחון האזרחים. pic.twitter.com/6NYKlq84Mt

— Sheren Falah Saab شيرين فلاح صعب (@FalahSaab) October 10, 2023

The tensions in the north reached a climax after this exchange of fire, during which three terrorists were killed while one gunman managed to escape. Islamic Jihad claimed responsibility for the operation, while Hezbollah denied any involvement. However, the IDF targeted the organization's assets, leading to reports in Lebanon of three Hezbollah members killed in the bombings.

The terrorists managed to infiltrate through a small opening between the new wall and the old fence. In response, the IDF initiated attacks, hitting numerous guard towers erected by Hezbollah along the border. Reports from Lebanon indicated that the Air Force attacked the town of Marwin in southern Lebanon, while tanks shelled another outpost.

In light of the attack, the Home Front Command issued an order for all residents living within 9 km of the northern border to take refuge in military shelters or safe rooms until further notice. Subsequently, the guidelines were revised, reducing the distance for seeking shelter in houses to 4 km from the border. Furthermore, the IDF reported launches from Lebanon with no casualties. Hezbollah claimed responsibility for these launches, prompting the IDF to respond with further fire into Lebanese territory.

The poor people of south Lebanon, escaping from the prospect of yet another war brought upon them by Hezbollah. https://t.co/bXv2UmioKI

— Shaiel Ben-Ephraim (@academic_la) October 10, 2023

Tensions in the north had already escalated on Sunday after Hezbollah fired mortar bombs at IDF positions, leading to an IDF counterattack on a tent erected by Hezbollah on Israeli territory.

Following Hezbollah's actions, the IDF spokesman stated that artillery attacks were conducted on the firing range in Lebanon from which projectiles were launched towards Israeli territory. The IDF remains prepared for various scenarios in all sectors and is committed to safeguarding the security of the State of Israel. Reports from Lebanon indicate that the IDF targeted the Rawaisat Al-Alam site, near the village of Shuba, with artillery shells.