Lebanese army opens fire at IDF force on northern border
An IDF force on routine activity in Israeli territory was fired upon from within Lebanon.
(Communicated by the IDF Spokesman)
Scene of the incident on the Israel-Lebanon border (Photo: Channel 2 News)
(13:20): An IDF force was fired upon from within Lebanon. The soldiers were on routine activity in Israeli territory, in an area that lies between the „blue line” (the internationally recognized border between Israel and Lebanon) and the security fence, thus within Israeli territory.
(16:00): Earlier today during the mid-day hours, the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) fired at an IDF position along the Lebanese border in northern Israel. The force was in Israeli territory, carrying out routine maintenance and was pre-coordinated with UNIFIL. The border area is east of the Israeli town of Metulla. The incident occurred west of the internationally recognized „Blue Line” (the border between Israel and Lebanon) and east of the security fence, thus lying in Israeli territory.
The IDF force immediately returned fire with light arms at a force of the LAF, and the IDF also made use of artillery fire. Several minutes later an Israel Air Force (IAF) helicopter fired at the LAF Battalion Command Center in Al-Taybeh, damaging several LAF armored combat vehicles.
The IDF holds the LAF responsible for the incident that disrupted the calm in the region, and its consequences.
The IDF Chief of the General Staff, Lt. Gen. Gabi Ashkenazi arrived at the Israeli-Lebanese border, is following the events closely as they unfold, and is constantly holding situation assessment reports with the OC Northern Command, Maj. Gen. Gadi Eisenkot, as well as the Galilee Regional Division commander and additional commanders
The Israeli public in the Galilee region are asked to carry on with their routine way of life.
Firing on IDF patrol from Lebanon
(Communicated by the MFA Spokesperson)
Israel views the firing from Lebanon on an Israel Defense Force patrol, which was operating along the Lebanese border in coordination with UNIFIL, as a severe violation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Avigdor Liberman has instructed the Israeli diplomatic delegation to the United Nations to file a protest with the UN Secretary General and the Security Council.
This recent violation is one of many violations of Resolution 1701, the most severe of which is the massive rearmament of Hizbullah, including the rearmament of Hizbullah units in southern Lebanon.
Israel holds the Lebanese government responsible for the grave incident, and warns of the consequences should these continue.
