August 3, 2010

Special Update: Israel-Lebanon Border Clash

Benjamin Sack
Director of National Initiatives
Department of Public Diplomacy

Earlier today, Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) used snipers to fire at IDF soldiers in northern Israel, killing Lt. Col. Dov Harari from Natanya and wounding another soldier. The incident occured east of the internationally recognized border, known as the "blue line," and west of the security fence, thus lying in Israeli territory. The land in between the "blue line" and the security fence is the same area where two soldiers were kidnapped by Hezbollah in 2006. The IDF activity today was routine and coordinated with the UNIFL; Lebanon was alerted about the procedure three hours in advance. Israel holds the Lebanese government fully responsible for this deplorable incident and clear violation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701. Prime Minister Netanyahu stresses the need for international condemnation. Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman authorized Israel's UN Ambassador to lodge an offical complaint against Lebanon with the UN Security Council.

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