The military identified the soldier as Master Sergeant Alexander Filin, 29, and said he “fell in combat” during operations in southern Lebanon.

According to a military statement released on Thursday, the incident also left an officer, a reserve officer and a reserve soldier moderately wounded. A combat non-commissioned officer, two reserve soldiers and a female reserve soldier sustained light injuries.

The military did not immediately provide further details regarding the circumstances of the clash or the location where the casualties occurred.

The casualties were reported a day after the United States and Iran signed a memorandum of understanding intended to lay the groundwork for ending the broader Middle East conflict. The agreement calls for a halt in fighting across multiple fronts, including Lebanon, where hostilities have persisted for months.

Lebanon became directly involved in the regional conflict after the Iran-backed Hezbollah movement launched rocket attacks against Israel on March 2 in support of Tehran following the outbreak of hostilities involving Iran and its allies.

Israel subsequently expanded military operations in southern Lebanon, carrying out extensive airstrikes and ground offensives that it said were aimed at degrading Hezbollah’s military capabilities and preventing cross-border attacks.

Lebanese authorities say Israel’s military campaign has killed more than 3,800 people since fighting escalated earlier this year. The figures have not been independently verified.

On the Israeli side, military data indicate that 31 soldiers and one civilian contractor have been killed in connection with operations linked to the conflict since March 2, including the latest fatality.

The death of Filin comes as diplomatic negotiations continue over the future of Israeli troop deployments in southern Lebanon. Israeli officials have said they are engaged in discussions with the United States regarding the possible continuation of military deployments in areas seized during the conflict, while Washington has pushed for broader efforts to stabilize the region under the emerging U.S.-Iran framework.

Despite signs of reduced hostilities in recent days, the latest casualties highlight the continuing risks faced by forces operating in southern Lebanon and the challenges confronting negotiators seeking a durable ceasefire.

Lebanese state media reported fresh Israeli strikes, while the Israeli military issued an evacuation warning for a building near the southern city of Tyre, signaling ongoing operations despite the broader regional truce.

Hezbollah, which entered the conflict by launching attacks on Israel on March 2, has not claimed any operations since early Wednesday. Three Lebanese sources close to the group told Reuters it had halted fire on northern Israel and Israeli forces in Lebanon as part of the ceasefire arrangement involving Iran.

The Israeli military said it “continues fighting and ground operations” against Hezbollah, underscoring that hostilities along the Lebanon front remain active.Lebanon’s army warned residents against returning to southern areas, citing ongoing Israeli attacks and the presence of advancing Israeli forces.

It urged civilians to avoid exposed zones until conditions stabilize.An AFP correspondent in the Tyre region reported limited civilian movement southward, despite the displacement of hundreds of thousands since the conflict expanded into Lebanon.

Hezbollah is expected to issue a formal statement clarifying its position on the ceasefire and Netanyahu’s assertion that Lebanon is excluded from the agreement, the Lebanese sources said.

French President Emmanuel Macron, while welcoming the U.S.-Iran ceasefire, said the situation in Lebanon remained critical and called for its inclusion in any broader de-escalation framework.

The report said any action would likely fall short of a full-scale invasion, instead involving special operations forces and conventional infantry targeting locations such as Kharg Island and coastal areas near the Strait of Hormuz, a critical corridor for global oil shipments.

Washington has already moved thousands of Marines to the Middle East amid the month-long conflict. The first of two contingents arrived on an amphibious assault ship on Friday, according to the U.S. military.

Additional deployments under consideration include forces from the 82nd Airborne Division, alongside approximately 5,000 Marines being repositioned to the region. These reinforcements would add to an estimated 50,000 U.S. troops already stationed across the Middle East, according to media reports.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Washington could achieve its objectives without deploying ground troops but noted that forces were being positioned to give policymakers “maximum” flexibility.

Defense analysts cited in reports said limited operations could aim to secure maritime routes or seize key infrastructure such as Kharg Island, a major hub for Iran’s oil exports.

Military experts have cautioned that even limited ground incursions could lead to prolonged engagement, raising the risk of a broader conflict and increased casualties.

Concerns also persist over the economic implications of instability around the Strait of Hormuz, through which a significant share of global energy supplies passes.

No final decision on ground operations has been announced, and U.S. officials have not publicly confirmed the scope or timing of any potential action.