The clash in which Kaller died occurred around 8 p.m. Wednesday in rough, hilly and boulder-strewn terrain between the Soujud and Rehan outposts in the northeastern sector of the security zone.
Members of the elite Egoz unit were on what appears to have been a reconnaissance and ambush mission aimed at thwarting Hezbollah infiltration attempts.
The soldiers encountered a Hezbollah squad and were apparently taken by surprise by automatic-weapons fire. Kaller, the engineering officer of the unit, was killed by the first burst of fire.
Senior security sources said that from initial inquiries it appeared that after having spotted suspicious silhouettes, the soldiers in Kaller’s squad hesitated momentarily before opening fire, to ensure that they were not shooting at members of their own unit. This gave the edge to the Hezbollah gunmen, who opened fire first.
A second soldier was lightly wounded in the gun battle in which Kaller was killed.