Live fire exchange on Lebanese-Israel border
http://zionism-israel.com/israel_news/2007/02/live-fire-exchange-on-lebanese-israel.htmlAfter working to get the Lebanese army down to the southern border, Israel finally achieved it. The result is that while Hezbolla is not firing at Israel, the Lebanese army is. This should not happen of course. It would not happen if UNIFIL did their job, and it would not happen in a better world.
Why isn't there a clearly demarcated border? Why can't IDF allow UNIFIL to clear the bunkers on the Israeli side too?
"Because it is the Middle East" is not a good enough answer, is it?
The Lebanese will say IDF was in Lebanese territory. The Israelis will say IDF was in Israeli territory. The Lebanese will say Israel fired first. Israel will say Lebanese fired first. Business as usual.
Is this incident one of a kind, or "first of many?"
Last update - 23:57 07/02/2007
IDF shells Lebanese positions across northern border
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/823118.html
IDF shells Lebanese positions across northern border
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/823118.html
By Haaretz Service and Agencies
Israel Defense Forces troops late Wednesday fired warning shells at Lebanese army positions across the northern border.
The incident occurred after Lebanese troops fired light weapons at IDF tanks stationed with the Engineering Corps in an area north of the border fence, but in sovereign Israeli territory.
IDF troops issued a warning to the Lebanese forces, and a short time later fired shells at the Lebanese position, opposite Moshav Avivim.
There are no reports of IDF casualties but initial reports indicate there may be injuries on the Lebanese side.
UNIFIL forces are trying to mediate the conflict.
Earlier Wednesday, IDF troops crossed the Lebanon border fence in the area where four Hezbollah bombs were discovered Monday, in order to search the area for additional explosive devices.
While the troops are operating north of the border fence, they will not cross the international border, which lives several dozen meters beyond the fence.
IDF bulldozers accompanied by Engineering Corps and infantry troops are operating in the area and overturning mounds of earth in order to ensure that there are no additional bombs.
On Wednesday morning, the Lebanese Army threatened to fire on IDF troops should they cross the international border. The IDF said in response that it has no intention of crossing the border, but that soldiers will defend themselves if fired upon.
"The aim of the operation is to confirm that no additional explosive devices are located in the area and to make it difficult for the Hezbollah terror organization to conceal explosive devices in the area in the future," said the IDF in a statement.
"Furthermore the operation emphasizes the Israeli sovereignty along the international border and increases the effectiveness of IDF operations along the border," added the statement.
At this point, the IDF Northern Command has been unable to determine as of yet whether the bombs found Monday were placed by Hezbollah recently, or whether the bombs were simply exposed due to heavy rains in the area.
Hezbollah said on Tuesday that the devices had been there since before the outbreak of the second Lebanon war on July 12.
The IDF operation is being carried out under heavy security, in order to prevent Hezbollah from attacking the troops.
Israel has updated the United Nations force in southern Lebanon (UNIFIL) regarding the military operation, making it clear the troops will not cross the international border.
According to Hezbollah's Al-Manar television, UNIFIL and Lebanese Army troops have arrived at the scene.
Defense Minister Amir Peretz on Wednesday accused Syria of allowing the rearmament of Hezbollah guerrillas in Lebanon and said Israel has the right to act forcefully against the Shiite militia to counter the threat.
Speaking to visiting U.S. Jewish leaders, Peretz said Syria, Hezbollah's main ally, is continuing to allow weapons shipments to the group to cross its border with Lebanon.
"We can't under any circumstances ignore the transfer of weapons and ammunition to Hezbollah," Peretz said. "While Israel remains committed to the cease-fire we reserve the right to protect the citizens of the State of Israel and we will do this forcefully without any compromises."
In Beirut, a Hezbollah official declined comment.
About two weeks ago, IDF troops destroyed two Hezbollah bunkers uncovered during searches of the area around the border fence. One of the bunkers was found during the war, and the other was uncovered last month.
Both bunkers were within Israel's territory, somewhere between the international border and the border fence. The bunkers housed supplies, food and tools that would enable a long stay underground.
Israel Defense Forces troops late Wednesday fired warning shells at Lebanese army positions across the northern border.
The incident occurred after Lebanese troops fired light weapons at IDF tanks stationed with the Engineering Corps in an area north of the border fence, but in sovereign Israeli territory.
IDF troops issued a warning to the Lebanese forces, and a short time later fired shells at the Lebanese position, opposite Moshav Avivim.
There are no reports of IDF casualties but initial reports indicate there may be injuries on the Lebanese side.
UNIFIL forces are trying to mediate the conflict.
Earlier Wednesday, IDF troops crossed the Lebanon border fence in the area where four Hezbollah bombs were discovered Monday, in order to search the area for additional explosive devices.
While the troops are operating north of the border fence, they will not cross the international border, which lives several dozen meters beyond the fence.
IDF bulldozers accompanied by Engineering Corps and infantry troops are operating in the area and overturning mounds of earth in order to ensure that there are no additional bombs.
On Wednesday morning, the Lebanese Army threatened to fire on IDF troops should they cross the international border. The IDF said in response that it has no intention of crossing the border, but that soldiers will defend themselves if fired upon.
"The aim of the operation is to confirm that no additional explosive devices are located in the area and to make it difficult for the Hezbollah terror organization to conceal explosive devices in the area in the future," said the IDF in a statement.
"Furthermore the operation emphasizes the Israeli sovereignty along the international border and increases the effectiveness of IDF operations along the border," added the statement.
At this point, the IDF Northern Command has been unable to determine as of yet whether the bombs found Monday were placed by Hezbollah recently, or whether the bombs were simply exposed due to heavy rains in the area.
Hezbollah said on Tuesday that the devices had been there since before the outbreak of the second Lebanon war on July 12.
The IDF operation is being carried out under heavy security, in order to prevent Hezbollah from attacking the troops.
Israel has updated the United Nations force in southern Lebanon (UNIFIL) regarding the military operation, making it clear the troops will not cross the international border.
According to Hezbollah's Al-Manar television, UNIFIL and Lebanese Army troops have arrived at the scene.
Defense Minister Amir Peretz on Wednesday accused Syria of allowing the rearmament of Hezbollah guerrillas in Lebanon and said Israel has the right to act forcefully against the Shiite militia to counter the threat.
Speaking to visiting U.S. Jewish leaders, Peretz said Syria, Hezbollah's main ally, is continuing to allow weapons shipments to the group to cross its border with Lebanon.
"We can't under any circumstances ignore the transfer of weapons and ammunition to Hezbollah," Peretz said. "While Israel remains committed to the cease-fire we reserve the right to protect the citizens of the State of Israel and we will do this forcefully without any compromises."
In Beirut, a Hezbollah official declined comment.
About two weeks ago, IDF troops destroyed two Hezbollah bunkers uncovered during searches of the area around the border fence. One of the bunkers was found during the war, and the other was uncovered last month.
Both bunkers were within Israel's territory, somewhere between the international border and the border fence. The bunkers housed supplies, food and tools that would enable a long stay underground.
posted by News Service at
10:15 PM
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