A Lebanese soldier stationed in southern Lebanon was injured by fire from the Israeli side of the border, a Lebanese official said on Sunday.
The IDF confirmed that soldiers stationed along Israel’s northern border opened fire on “suspects” attempting to infiltrate Israel from Lebanon. One of the suspects was hit, forcing both to retreat.
The incident took place Sunday afternoon.
In a statement from the army, “Earlier today, during a routine activity along the Israel-Lebanon border, an IDF force identified suspects crossing and infiltrating into Israeli territory.”
“The force responded by opening fire towards the suspects, who escaped north, returning to Lebanon. The incident is currently being reviewed,” the army said.
According to the Naharnet news outlet, the injured soldiers was patrolling the southern Lebanese town of Kfar Chouba, located about 2 kilometers from the border with Israel. It is still unclear whether the soldier was attempting to infiltrate Israel.
A Lebanese security official told AFP that the soldier was injured when a Lebanese army patrol came under fire in Jabal Sadanneh, west of the Shebaa Farms area.
The border incident comes on the heels of an interview by IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Benny Gantz who warned that Hezbollah in Lebanon posed a greater threat than Hamas in Gaza.
