Fatal skirmish on Lebanon border
AN Israeli soldier was killed and another severely wounded after the Lebanese Armed Forces fired at an Israeli border position.
AN Israeli soldier was killed and another severely wounded after the Lebanese Armed Forces fired at an Israeli border position.
In the incident, which occurred Tuesday afternoon Israel time, Israeli soldiers were reportedly carrying out routine maintenance within their own territory when they were fired upon. The maintenance had been arranged with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL).
It is another blow to plans to begin direct peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians, following a number of rocket attacks on Israel’s southern towns earlier in the week.
Lieutenant Colonel Dov Harari, 45 — a reservist — was killed in the incident, while Captain Ezra Lakia, 30, sustained severe injuries.
In response, the international community, including the Australian Government, called for restraint.
“We are deeply concerned by exchange of fire between the Lebanese Armed Forces and the Israeli Defence Forces along the Israel-Lebanon border zone,” a Government spokesperson said on Wednesday. “We urge all parties to exercise restraint and abide by their obligations.
He also issued an alert to travellers: “We continue to warn Australians of the dangerous security environment along the Lebanon-Israel border.”
The Israeli embassy in Canberra opted not to comment, referring instead to remarks made by Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu.
The PM said Israel viewed the attack “with utmost gravity”. “This was a gross violation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701,” he said.
“I hold the Lebanese Government directly responsible for this violent provocation against Israel.”
Netanyahu said that Israel would responded aggressively to any future attempt to “violate the quiet on the northern border”.
He conveyed his condolences to the family of Lt Col Harari and wished Capt Lakia a speedy recovery.
Lebanon accused the Israeli soldiers of provoking the incident by crossing to their side of the border.
But a report in The Jerusalem Post said an IDF aerial photograph showed the soldiers standing
in Israeli territory when they
were fired upon, and this was reportedly confirmed by a UNIFIL ­representative.
In retaliation, the IDF returned fire, reportedly killing two Lebanese soldiers and a journalist.
An IDF helicopter also fired at Lebanese Armed Forces command centre, damaging several armoured combat vehicles.
Israeli newspaper Ha’aretz reported it was believed the Lebanese commander who ordered the shots had made the decision on his own.
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