A 60-year-old avocado farmer and spokesman for Kibbutz Misgav Am, Ofer Moskovitz, was killed Sunday morning by rocket fire from Hezbollah, marking the first civilian death since the war with Iran began on February 28. The strike ignited a fire that engulfed two vehicles, and his body was recovered by emergency responders. Hezbollah claimed it had targeted Israeli soldiers, while the Israel Defense Forces determined the attack was carried out with rockets.

Moskovitz, who managed 100 acres of avocado groves and was described as a prominent voice in his community, had recently spoken about the constant danger faced by residents near the Lebanon border. Despite the risks, many in the kibbutz had chosen to remain. His death came as Israeli forces prepared to expand ground operations in southern Lebanon aimed at pushing Hezbollah further from the border.

The Israel Defense Forces said troops killed 10 Hezbollah operatives during raids in southern Lebanon and struck more than 2,000 Hezbollah targets in recent weeks. In a separate operation, a senior Hamas financier, Walid Mohammad Dib, was killed in Lebanon. Israel has also targeted bridges and command centers to disrupt the movement of fighters and weapons, while Lebanese officials and international leaders have called for negotiations to end the escalating conflict.