Israeli Soldiers Hurt in Lebanon Border Attack
At least four Israeli soldiers were wounded on Wednesday when their patrol vehicle was hit by an anti-tank missile along the northern border with Lebanon. Several other IDF positions in the area were simultaneously struck by mortar fire, and there were unconfirmed reports of Israeli fatalities.
Many believe the coordinated assault was an attempt by the Lebanese terrorist militia Hezbollah to abduct Israeli soldiers. The group has successfully done so in the past using similar tactics.
Israeli forces responded with targeted artillery fire. Residents of the northern Israel border region were ordered to enter their bomb shelters.
Earlier in the day, the IDF conducted test drillings in several locations near the northern border following complaints by residents who said they could hear Hezbollah terrorists tunneling under their communities.
The phenomenon of “terror tunnels” has become an overriding concern in the wake of last summer’s Gaza war, during which Israel discovered Hamas had dug dozens of such tunnels into southern Israel.
Israel’s northern borders with both Syria and Lebanon have been on highest alert since last week, when Israel successfully targeted a military convoy in the Syrian border town of Quneitra, killing a top Hezbollah field commander and a visiting Iranian general.
Apparently in retaliation for that strike, forces operating in Syria fired at least two missiles into the Israeli Golan Heights on Tuesday, causing no injuries or damage. Israel responded with artillery fire and overnight airstrikes on Syrian government forces.
