Amer Hujeirat, a 44-year-old Israeli civilian earthworks contractor working on a Defense Ministry project, was killed Tuesday by a Hezbollah drone strike in southern Lebanon. The incident occurred around 11:00 am near Aitaroun in the Bint Jbeil area, where Hujeirat was operating an engineering vehicle. The Israeli military confirmed that a contractor linked to the Ministry of War was killed in southern Lebanon. The Israeli military further confirmed that a contractor working for a company linked to the Ministry of War was killed in southern Lebanon.
Hezbollah targeted the contractor's backhoe with an explosive-laden FPV drone, according to reports. The drone hit the vehicle, which was being used to demolish buildings in villages. Hujeirat was killed when an explosive-laden FPV drone struck the engineering vehicle, specifically a bulldozer, he was operating. The incident occurred in the Bint Jbeil area of southern Lebanon, where Hujeirat and his team were engaged in the destruction of buildings in villages. Hujeirat's 19-year-old son, who works for the same company and was with him, sustained light shrapnel wounds and was transported to a hospital for treatment. The contractor was killed and his son was wounded in the attack. The wounded son was taken to hospital following the strike. The IDF announced the death of Amer Hujairat. Amer Hujeirat was a resident of the northern city of Shfar’am (Shfaram). His son, who sustained light shrapnel wounds, was treated at Ziv Medical Center in Safed for his physical condition and symptoms of shock and acute emotional distress. He was evacuated to Ziv Hospital in Safed. The son was released home after receiving treatment and being stabilized.
Hezbollah Claims Responsibility
Earlier on Tuesday, the Islamic Resistance in Lebanon announced its fighters targeted an "Israeli" military bulldozer demolishing civilian homes in Bint Jbeil. Hezbollah fighters also targeted a troop gathering at al-Qantara square with attack drones, and separately hit a Merkava tank in the same area using attack drones. The incident occurred on Tuesday, April 28, 2026. Hezbollah maintains that these operations came in direct response to continued "Israeli" attacks on southern Lebanon and ongoing ceasefire violations that have resulted in civilian casualties. Hezbollah further maintains that the operations came in direct response to continued "Israeli" attacks on southern Lebanon and ongoing ceasefire violations that have resulted in civilian casualties.
The organization claimed the killed contractor was among dozens of "civilian" workers deployed by Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) to raze homes and infrastructure in southern Lebanon. The drone hit a backhoe used by "Israeli" occupation forces [IOF] and contractors to demolish civilian buildings and infrastructure. Some contractors have previously participated in the demolition of Palestinian homes in Gaza. "Haaretz" reported in April that some contractors receive financial bonuses per building destroyed, providing an incentive for their involvement in such demolition activities.
Advanced Drone Capabilities
Dozens of attack drones are reportedly being deployed weekly across multiple fronts, representing a more advanced iteration than those utilized in the 2024 conflict. The drones represent a more advanced iteration than those used in the 2024 war. Some of these drones operate on fiber-optic guidance systems, which purportedly render them largely immune to electronic jamming. Some drones operate on fiber-optic guidance systems that render them largely immune to electronic jamming. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu acknowledged the severity of the situation, stating that the military faces "two problems" against Hezbollah: "its missile threat and its drone threat." Netanyahu suggested that addressing these issues would also allow for resolving the "diplomatic side" of the conflict. Netanyahu stated that the military faces two problems against Hezbollah: its missile threat and its drone threat. Netanyahu suggested resolving these problems would also allow for resolving the 'diplomatic side'.
The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) previously announced an unsuccessful attempt to intercept a Hezbollah drone that exploded near forces in southern Lebanon. Earlier, the IDF announced an unsuccessful attempt to intercept a Hezbollah drone that exploded near forces in southern Lebanon. In that incident, one drone near Taybeh was intercepted, while another exploded near troops during an evacuation, causing no casualties. One drone near Taybeh was intercepted, and the other exploded near troops during evacuation, causing no casualties. Earlier, on Monday, an Israeli soldier was seriously wounded and another lightly wounded in a separate drone attack in southern Lebanon.
Broader Escalation and Context
Lebanon’s Health Ministry reported that five people were killed in an Israeli strike on the village of Majdal Zoun in the Tyre area. Lebanon’s Health Ministry reported five people were killed in an Israeli strike on the village of Majdal Zoun in the Tyre area. Among those killed in Majdal Zoun were three civil defense medical personnel who were trapped under rubble during a rescue mission, according to reports. The Lebanese army also reported that two of its soldiers were wounded in an Israeli strike targeting a military patrol. The Lebanese army reported two of its soldiers were wounded in an an Israeli strike targeting a military patrol. Separately, sirens sounded in Kiryat Shmona, warning residents of a suspected drone infiltration from Lebanon. Sirens sounded in Kiryat Shmona warning of a suspected drone infiltration from Lebanon. No damage or casualties were reported from the Kiryat Shmona incident.
Earlier this week, Sgt. Idan Fooks, 19, of Petah Tikva, was killed by an FPV drone during combat in southern Lebanon. In the same incident, an officer and three soldiers were seriously wounded, one soldier sustained moderate wounds, and another was lightly wounded, according to reports. In the incident involving Sgt. Idan Fooks, an officer and three soldiers were seriously wounded, one soldier was moderately wounded, and one was lightly wounded. Two additional explosive-laden drones were launched at Israeli Defense Forces forces near the village of Taybeh during that same incident. Two additional explosive-laden drones were launched at IDF forces near the village of Taybeh in the same incident. The escalating use of advanced drone technology by Hezbollah and the resulting casualties on both sides show the volatile nature of the ongoing conflict in the region. Military analysts continue to monitor the evolving tactics and the potential for further escalation as both parties adapt their strategies. The persistent cross-border attacks and responses highlight the fragility of the security situation along the Lebanon-Israel border, with both military personnel and civilians increasingly at risk. The recent incidents serve as a stark reminder of the continuous threats faced by communities in southern Lebanon and northern Israel, as the conflict extends beyond conventional warfare to include sophisticated drone operations.
