Israel Wants Lebanon Action After Soldier Shot at Border
Israel’s Defense Minister Moshe Ya’alon said today that Lebanon’s government and army bear responsibility for the death of a soldier shot near the border, and demanded measures to prevent a recurrence.
“We demand first of all, the Lebanese army explain what happened and if we are really talking about one disobedient soldier, what they will do with him, and what they intend to do to prevent incidents like this from happening again,” Ya’alon said in an e-mailed statement.
Lebanon’s army command later described the shooting as an “individual” act committed by a lone soldier, according to a statement posted on its website. It reiterated the army’s commitment to maintain stability in border areas in cooperation with United Nations peacekeeping troops in the area.
Yesterday’s Israeli fatality was the first at the border since 2010, when an officer overseeing the trimming of trees was shot dead by Lebanese soldiers, leading to a brief exchange of fire. The area was the scene of heavy fighting in 2006, when Israel battled Lebanon’s Hezbollah militia, which led to new security arrangements in the border area.
Hours after the incident, Israeli soldiers patrolling the area fired across the border at two Lebanese soldiers thought to be involved in the shooting, and scored hits, Israeli army spokeswoman Libby Weiss said. Lebanon’s news agency said the area where the incident took place was tense overnight, with Lebanese troops on high alert and Israeli jets and helicopters flying overhead.
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http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-12-16/israeli-soldier-killed-by-shots-fired-from-lebanon-across-border.html