Three people were killed and two paramedics injured in a reported Israeli “double-tap” strike on the town of Yater in Bint Jbeil, Nabatieh Governorate at 4:00 a.m. on 24 October, 2024. Those killed were members of the Fifth Brigade of the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) and were reportedly helping to evacuate those injured in a previous airstrike.

The soldiers were identified as Muhammad Sami Farhat (36), Muhammad Hussein Nazzal (30) and Moussa Youssef Mahna (26) in a press release by the Facebook account of the Lebanese army @LebaneseArmedForcesOfficial. All three men reportedly joined the army voluntarily, before being promoted to higher ranks.

Echoing the circumstances in which Muhammad, Muhammad, and Moussa were killed, news outlet Al Mada – among others – reported that ambulance teams conducting search and rescue operations following a strike on a residential building in Yater were hit by a second strike, leading to the injury of two paramedics.

Muhammad Sami Farhat was born in Deir Qanoun Ras al-Ain in the district of Tyre. He was not married. In 2009, he was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant and was further promoted to Major in 2022. He was lauded for completing “several study courses at home and abroad.”

Mohammad Hussein Nazzal was born in Saraifa in the Tyre district, was also unmarried, and as a Corporal received “the commendation and congratulations of the Army Commander several times.”

Corporal Moussa Youssef Mahna, was born in Sidon, was unmarried, and was also remembered for having received Commander recommendations.

Accompanying the @LebaneseArmedForcesOfficial post were formal portrait pictures of the three men. One shows Muhammad Farhat wearing a dark blue uniform with military insignia. The two other pictures, of Mohammad Nazzal and Moussa Mahna, show them in military camouflage uniforms.

Among others, Facebook account @Syria Call for News posted three pictures of Muhammad Farhat: one in his service dress blue uniform, smiling at the camera, and two others showing him in combat uniform. Others like @Tony Ghattas posted along the pictures: “New heroes added to the caravan of martyrs, Glory and eternity to our martyrs.”

The Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) are not party to the hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah. As such, it is understood that the men were not directly participating in hostilities (DPH), and as such, in accordance with International Humanitarian Law (IHL) they are recorded as civilians.

Fans of the Lebanese Army said that Muhammad Farhat had threatened to take up arms against the Israeli military should they “not adhere to the Blue Line during the border demarcation process.” While such an act would make Muhammad a direct participant in hostilities, there were no reports to suggest that he ultimately took up arms. As such, he has been recorded as a civilian. This will be updated should additional information become available.

Where sources identified a belligerent, all pointed to the Israeli military.