Sgt. Nehoray Leizer was killed in battle while fighting in southern Lebanon, the IDF announced early Monday.

Leizer, 19, from Eilat, served in the 601st Combat Engineering Battalion in the 401st Armored Brigade, the military said. His family has been notified.

He is survived by his parents and two younger siblings.

According to initial assessments, Leizer was killed by an explosive drone launched by Hezbollah.

Leizer's funeral will take place at 5 p.m. in Eilat. He will be buried in the military section of the city's cemetery.

Israeli soldiers are seen near the Israeli border with Lebanon, northern Israel, May 17, 2026.
Israeli soldiers are seen near the Israeli border with Lebanon, northern Israel, May 17, 2026. (credit: AYAL MARGOLIN/FLASH90)

The municipality added in a Monday morning statement that starting at 4:15 p.m., it will hand out flags at the cemetery entrance.

An additional soldier was severely wounded during the incident and was evacuated to the hospital for treatment. His family has been notified.

Hezbollah's recurring drone attacks on 401st Armored Brigade soldiers

On Saturday, the IDF announced the death of Staff Sgt. Noam Hamburger, who was killed by an explosive drone strike near the Lebanese border. 

Hamburger had served as a technology and maintenance soldier in the brigade's 9th Battalion.

During the incident in which Hamburger fell, another IDF soldier was severely wounded, and a non-commissioned officer was lightly wounded.

On Wednesday, 401st Brigade Commander Col. Meir Biderman had been severely wounded in an explosive drone strike.

In the same incident, a reservist officer was moderately wounded by another explosive drone impact, while a non-commissioned officer was lightly wounded.

Amir Bohbot contributed to this report.