The Israeli Defense Force (IDF) said stopped an attack by a Hezbollah cell as the terror group’s fighters attempted to cross Israel’s northern border with Lebanon on Monday.
“Following a security incident in northern Israel, Israeli residents along the Blue Line have been told: To stay in their homes, To avoid any activity in open areas, That roads in the area are closed. More details to come,” the IDF tweeted Monday, noting further details would follow.
Following a security incident in northern Israel, Israeli residents along the Blue Line have been told:
– To stay in their homes
– To avoid any activity in open areas
– That roads in the area are closedMore details to come.
— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) July 27, 2020
The Blue Line is the demarcation point between Lebanon and Israel established by the United Nations in 2000.
IDF Brig. Gen. Hidai Zilberman described the incident to The Jerusalem Post as a “serious security incident” and said IDF forces observed three to five Hezbollah attackers crossing into Israel when the Israeli forces opened fire with machine guns and tank shells. Zilberman said the Hezbollah fighters then fled back across the border.
Early reports claimed one of the Hezbollah members fired an anti-tank missile at an Israeli tank, but IDF spokesman Lt. Col. Jonathan Conricus told The Washington Post there was no information confirming such an attack.
“#BREAKING: Israel foiled #Hezbollah infiltration attack on border along Lebanon. The terrorists were countered with massive fire and fled back into Lebanon,” a Twitter user said, sharing footage purporting to show smoke in the border area after the incident.
#BREAKING: Israel foiled #Hezbollah infiltration attack on border along Lebanon.
The terrorists were countered with massive fire and fled back into Lebanon. pic.twitter.com/7qkUAcDEi9
— Hananya Naftali (@HananyaNaftali) July 27, 2020
“We are constantly monitoring what is happening on our northern border. We maintain the policy I set years ago: we will not allow Iran to establish itself on our border,” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said of the border skirmish. “Lebanon and Hezbollah will be responsible for any attack that comes out of Lebanon against us. The IDF is prepared for any scenario. We work in all arenas for Israel’s security – close to our borders and far from our borders.”
אנו עוקבים כל הזמן על מה שמתרחש בגבולנו הצפוני. אנו שומרים על המדיניות שקבעתי לפני שנים: לא נאפשר לאיראן להתבסס בגבולנו. לבנון וחיזבאללה ישאו באחריות לכל התקפה שתצא משטח לבנון נגדנו. צה״ל ערוך לכל תרחיש. אנחנו פועלים בכל הזירות למען ביטחון ישראל – קרוב לגבולותינו והרחק מגבולותינו pic.twitter.com/FPZLvW8l75
— Benjamin Netanyahu (@netanyahu) July 27, 2020
The Beirut, Lebanon-based Al Mayadeen News reported Hezbollah has disputed the IDF claims regarding the border incident and claimed the Israeli military reports were “an attempt to invent false fake victories,” according to translated reporting.
Hezbollah further criticized the IDF’s actions, claiming the Israeli military damaged a civilian home in the border region.
