An IDF officer was killed in combat with Hezbollah in southern Lebanon on Tuesday morning, the military announced, as limited fighting continued with the Iran-backed terror group despite a newly extended ceasefire.

The slain officer was named as Maj. (res.) Itamar Sapir, 27, a deputy company commander in the 551st Brigade’s 7008th, from the West Bank settlement of Eli. Sapir also served in the Maglan commando unit during his regular service.

He is survived by his wife, Roee, their one-year-old son, Maayan, his parents and his brothers.

Sapir was killed during an exchange of fire when a Hezbollah operative began firing from inside a church at Israeli forces operating in the village of Qouza.

After the exchange of fire, the Israel Defense Forces responded by striking targets in the area in an attempt to hit the operative.

“Itamar always had a huge smile, and everyone who saw him understood what a kind smile and eyes he had, and how talented he was,” Sapir’s father-in-law Erez said.

“He had a desire to do good in the world, wherever he was. We, the whole family, were privileged to be a part of his life,” he added.

Sapir is the eighth IDF soldier to be killed in southern Lebanon since the start of a........

© The Times of Israel