Captain David Hazutt killed in combat in southern Lebanon, IDF announces

Hazutt was a platoon commander in the Golani Brigade's 12th Battalion.The platoon was searching for a terror suspect near Deir Siryan in southern Lebanon when the soldiers encountered a Hezbollah terrorist at approximately 2 a.m.The terrorist killed Hazutt and wounded another soldier, who was evacuated for medical treatment.The soldiers then launched an operation to search for the terrorist responsible and attacked terror targets in the area.The IDF later confirmed that it located the terrorist responsible in a nearby structure following extensive searches and killed him.Netanyahu: 'One of our finest sons, we bow our heads in honor'Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued a statement on Sunday offering condolences to Hazutt's family and spotlighting his contributions to the protection of the State of Israel.“David, of blessed memory, from the city of Ashkelon, was one of our finest sons. He courageously led his soldiers at the front lines of battle to protect our citizens and communities from the Hezbollah terrorist organization,” he said. “We bow our heads in honor of his falling.”Earlier, Ashkelon Mayor Tomer Galam put out a similar statement honoring and eulogizing Hazutt.“The city of Ashkelon bows its head and grieves over his loss,” Galam said.“David left behind a mother and sister and a heartbroken family,” he said. Hazutt's father passed away several years ago.