IDF eliminates Hezbollah operatives as Knesset passes combat stress law

Three armed Hezbollah operatives killed in Beit Yahoun; Knesset unanimously approves Combat Stress Reaction Law with 70 MKs in favor.

IDF eliminates Hezbollah operatives as Knesset passes combat stress law — The IDF eliminated three armed Hezbollah operatives today in the village of Beit Yahoun in southern Lebanon, according to an IDF statement. [^1][^2] The strike comes as Hezbollah-affiliated Al-Mayadeen reported an Israeli strike in the area of the village of Qunein. [^3] Separately, the IDF controls the town of Bint Jbeil after Operation 'Roar of the Lion', where an estimated 250 terrorists were eliminated. [^4] The Knesset plenum on Wednesday, July 15, 2026, finally approved the Combat Stress Reaction Law in second and third readings, with the support of 70 MKs and no opponents. [^5] The law, led by coalition chairman Ofir Katz, includes an additional budget of 45 million shekels for granting entitlements, benefits, and compensation. The cross-party cooperation was rare. Meanwhile, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced mandatory annual testosterone screening for troops aged 30 and above, citing a recent study showing a 54% global decline in average testosterone levels over five decades. [^6] The move drew criticism from Democrats who noted parallels to gender-affirming care bans. The US military also demands to remain at Ben Gurion Airport and increase its presence ahead of emergency scenarios against Tehran, contrary to previous agreements on reduction. [^7] Knesset approves draft freeze and gender segregation bills amid raw protests — MK Shlomo Karai called MK Merav Ben Ari a "lethal woman" during the Knesset debate on freezing arrests of Haredi deserters — a bill that passed 58-54 on July 14, 2026, with Prime Minister Netanyahu absent.[^1] The following day, the High Court of Justice suspended the law, citing unequal enforcement.[^2] A Walla poll of 5,372 respondents found that 81% oppose the freeze, with only 17% in support.[^3] Hours earlier, a combat soldier burst out in pain and shouted at the MKs: "You are screaming here like a bunch of little girls who have been given microphones!"[^4] Hundreds of reservists, teenagers, and pre-military course graduates marched with stretchers to the Knesset building in protest. After the vote, United Torah Judaism chairman Goldknopf sh