During a memorial ceremony for fallen soldiers from the 1982 Lebanon War, Defense Minister Israel Katz addressed the expanded ground operation in Lebanon and the capture of the strategic position overlooking Galilee communities. “26 years after the withdrawal, the Israeli flag flies again over the peaks,” Katz said. He eulogized Givati Brigade fighter Staff Sergeant Michael Tyukin, who fell in combat, and pledged to northern residents: “Achieving security is the only goal. We promised—and we’ll deliver.”
Israel marked the memory of those who fell in the 1982 Lebanon War today (Sunday) with a state memorial ceremony attended by the president and senior defense officials. Defense Minister Israel Katz used the occasion to discuss a significant operational and symbolic achievement by Israeli forces in southern Lebanon: the capture of the Beaufort ridge and the raising of the Israeli flag on the peak that served for decades as a symbol of the Lebanon campaign.
As reported earlier, the IDF Spokesperson cleared for publication that Israeli forces expanded the ground operation, crossed the Litani River, and seized control of the Beaufort ridge, a commanding position vital to defending northern communities. “26 years after the withdrawal from the security zone in Lebanon, the Israeli flag flies again over the peaks overlooking Galilee communities,” the defense minister declared. “Our heroic fighters captured the Beaufort once more—and will remain there as part of the security zone.”
Katz opened his remarks with a moving eulogy for Staff Sergeant Michael Tyukin, a Givati reconnaissance fighter who immigrated from Ukraine and fell in heroic combat in southern Lebanon over the weekend: “Michael chose to tie his fate to the fate of the State of Israel, enlisted in meaningful combat service, and became a symbol of Zionism, dedication, and love of the land.” Katz connected generations of fighters and told the wrenching story of the Vesfi family, which lost son Arnon in Lebanon in 1983 and nephew Arnon in fighting in Jabaliya in 2023: “A chain of generations of heroism and sacrifice that accompanies us even today.”
In his speech, the defense minister sent a sharp and clear warning to the Hezbollah terror organization: “Whoever harms Israeli civilians will lose the territory from which he operates. A jihadist enemy understands only one language—taking territory and destroying homes.” Katz noted that while IDF fighters are pushing forward with determination, Hezbollah terrorists “are fleeing backward and hiding,” as Israeli forces clear the area of terror infrastructure and destroy enemy strongholds in dozens of border villages.
Katz concluded with a direct appeal to northern residents and pledged to continue fighting until complete quiet is achieved. “We are fully aware of the gravity of the hour and the responsibility on our shoulders. The prime minister, myself, the chief of staff, and many others are working day and night for one goal only: to do everything required to achieve security for the north. We promised—and we’ll deliver.”