Tel Aviv, April 19 -- Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed the "profound grief" of the nation on Sunday following the death of Sgt.-First Class (Res.) Lidor Porat, who was killed during intense combat operations in southern Lebanon.

The Prime Minister's statement comes amid a difficult period of operational friction on the northern front, highlighting the high human cost of the ongoing conflict.

In a formal address, the Prime Minister extended his personal sympathies, alongside those of his wife, Sara Netanyahu, to the Porat family. He characterised the fallen reservist as a dedicated guardian of the state whose sacrifice was made in the direct defence of Israel's northern border communities.

In a post on X, he said, "My wife an...