Israeli, Lebanese troops exchange fire on border

Israeli, Lebanese troops exchange fire on border

2011-08-02 06:22:41 GMT+7 (ICT)

BEIRUT (BNO NEWS) -- Israeli and Lebanese troops on Monday exchanged fire along their common border, both sides reported.

A security source in south Lebanon told the Daily Star that the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) opened fire after a seven-man unit belonging to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) crossed the Blue Line that separates the two countries, near the Wazzani River area in southeastern Lebanon. Israeli troops fired back but no casualties were reported, the security source added.

IDF sources, however, said LAF soldiers shot at Israeli troops, provoking them to return fire. The sources added that the skirmish occurred during a military drill in Israeli territory, as reported by Haaretz newspaper. Israeli military officials said Israel wants "to contain the situation and maintain the calm at the border."

The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) confirmed the exchange of fire and said it has launched an investigation into the incident. It didn't confirm, however, whether Israeli troops had crossed the Blue Line.

"UNIFIL peacekeepers immediately responded to the location in order to contain the situation and prevent any escalation," said Neeraj Singh, spokesperson for the mission. "The firing has since ceased and the situation in the area is quiet. No casualties have been reported."

Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu defended Israeli soldiers on Monday, saying that "the soldiers in the area acted as necessary. They are determined to protect themselves and the border". Lebanese President Michel Suleiman also praised his country's army for standing guard against Israeli "attacks and provocations" and blamed Israel for "renewing its aggression" on the border, according to Haaretz.

Monday's skirmish is the first in the region since 10 demonstrators were killed in Lebanon and another 112 wounded after they attempted to enter Israel in May during a Nakba Day march. Gunfights, however, are rare since the 2006 war between Israel and Lebanon's Hezbollah movement.

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