Israeli Archaeologist Killed in Hezbollah Ambush in Southern Lebanon

Hebrew media outlets have reported the death of an Israeli archaeologist in an ambush by Hezbollah in southern Lebanon. The incident occurred when a force from the Israeli Maglan Unit entered a house that was subsequently detonated, causing the structure to collapse on the soldiers.

According to reports translated by Arabi21, the victim, identified as Zeev Hanokh Ehrlich, nicknamed “Jabo,” was killed in the explosion. Notably, reports suggest that Ehrlich entered southern Lebanon alongside the military force without proper authorization.

Details of the Incident

Hebrew sources provided further details about the incident, which took place at 3:00 PM on Wednesday in the operational zone of Division 36, within a village in southern Lebanon. The area had previously seen the death of a Golani Brigade soldier just days earlier.

The incident involved a force led by Colonel Yoav Yaron, Chief of Staff of the Golani Brigade. The unit had entered the Shrine of Prophet Shimon, located in a southern Lebanese village, believing the area to be secured. However, two Hezbollah fighters were reportedly lying in wait within the historical site, setting up a deadly ambush.

Upon entering the shrine, a site revered as a mosque and an important landmark for Shiites in southern Lebanon, the Golani Brigade force was attacked. This resulted in multiple casualties, including the death of Ehrlich.

Unauthorized Entry and Investigation

Preliminary investigations revealed that Ehrlich entered the military operational zone wearing military attire and carrying a weapon, with permission from the Golani Brigade commander. However, he was not part of the reserve forces, raising questions about the circumstances of his entry. Authorities are currently probing the incident, as his presence violated standard protocols and lacked necessary approvals.

Background of Zeev Hanokh Ehrlich

Ehrlich, born in 1953, was a prominent figure in Israel’s archaeological and religious circles. He was one of the founders of the Sde Ofra religious school, which was built on land confiscated from the Palestinian villages of Silwad and Yabroud near Ramallah. He studied at institutions associated with extremist religious Zionist ideologies, including a yeshiva near the Western Wall in occupied Jerusalem.

A holder of a bachelor’s degree in Talmud and the history of the Israeli people from the Hebrew University and Touro College, Ehrlich authored numerous books on the history of Polish Jews. During the First Intifada, he served as an infantry officer and intelligence officer in the Israeli military.

Controversial Activities in the West Bank

Ehrlich was active in Palestinian villages, often attempting to manipulate archaeological findings to assert Jewish historical claims over these areas. In 2012, he entered the village of Qarawat Bani Hassan with a unit from the Benjamin Brigade, documenting archaeological sites and delivering lectures to soldiers about alleged Jewish ties to the region.

At the time, Yedioth Ahronoth reported that the Israeli military had launched an investigation into how Ehrlich gained access to restricted areas alongside soldiers. The Israeli Antiquities Authority denied any connection to him and disclaimed responsibility for his presence in the region.

A Legacy of Controversy

Ehrlich’s involvement in contentious activities aimed at altering historical narratives has drawn significant attention. Images shared on social media show him in Hebron, claiming to have discovered Jewish relics in old Palestinian homes abandoned by forcibly displaced residents.

This latest incident adds another layer to the ongoing tensions in southern Lebanon and underscores the precarious nature of Israel’s military and civilian operations in the region.