Two IDF soldiers were killed and two more were severely wounded when Hizbullah operatives fired an anti-tank missile at their Merkava tank.

The event occurred in the village of Rajmin in southwest Lebanon , about four kilometers into Lebanese territory. The wounded soldiers were from the 74th Battalion, Tank Brigade 188, which at the time of the operation was under the command of Reserves Brigade 609, which joined the fighting Wednesday.

The four casualties were occupants of a Merkava tank that was hit by an anti-tank missile during operations in the area. The two wounded troops, who suffered severe burns, were air-lifted to Rambam Hospital in Haifa and were treated in the emergency room.

Hizbullah’s anti-tank weapons are one of the most complex problems facing IDF troops in south Lebanon. In the past few years, Hizbullah has equipped itself with missile systems and other means against Israeli tanks, which are among the most advanced in the world. The terror group possesses “Fagot” and “Cornet” missiles with tandem warheads that can neutralize tank shields and destroy even the IDF’s advanced tanks.

More troops deploy to Lebanon

Thursday more Israeli troops entered Lebanese territory, where they will operate to locate weapons and eliminate Hizbullah terror cells from southern villages. Thousands of standing army and reserves soldiers – more than six brigades – were already operating in the territory.

Forces operated in roughly twenty villages simultaneously. Numerous violent confrontations erupted between Hizbullah fighters and IDF soldiers.

In one incident reserve troops killed four terrorists, and in another soldiers destroyed two anti-tank devices.