ISRAEL AT WAR - DAY 58

search

Al-Qaeda-linked group claims border attack on IDF

Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, an enemy of Hezbollah, tweets responsibility for targeting Israeli patrol at Lebanon border

Israeli military medics examine comrades in an ambulance near Har Dov, on Israel's northern border with Lebanon, March 14, 2014 (photo credit: AFP/Jalaa Marey)
Israeli military medics examine comrades in an ambulance near Har Dov, on Israel's northern border with Lebanon, March 14, 2014 (photo credit: AFP/Jalaa Marey)

An Al-Qaeda-linked group that has been operating increasingly in Lebanon claimed responsibility via Twitter for an attack on an IDF patrol Friday.

The Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) has been fighting against Hezbollah and the Bashar Assad regime in Syria, with clashes and targeted bombings spilling over into Lebanon in recent months.

It was initially reported by Israeli media that the attack on the IDF jeep in the Har Dov area, near the Israeli-Lebanese border, was perpetrated by Hezbollah. The IDF fired on several targets across the border in retaliation, including tank fire at a Hezbollah position in the Lebanese village Kfar Kileh.

Three Israeli soldiers were taken to a hospital to “rule out” any internal injuries from the blast, according to Israel Radio.

Residents in the area of Har Dov reported hearing two loud explosions.

Hezbollah’s Al-Manar TV station said that Israeli forces had fired shells into the area of Kfar Chouba, north of the border. There were no injuries reported.

The army said it was investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident.

An IDF vehicle patrols near the border with Lebanon, May 2013 (photo credit: Avishag Shaar Yashuv/Flash90)
An IDF vehicle patrols near the border with Lebanon, May 2013 (photo credit: Avishag Shaar Yashuv/Flash90)

Residents of northern Israel, from Kiryat Shmona eastward to the Golan Heights, were cautioned to stay away from the border.

The Lebanese army declared a state of alert, according to Israel’s Channel 1 News, and eyewitnesses reported seeing increased UNIFIL patrols in the border area late in the evening.

read more:
Never miss breaking news on Israel
Get notifications to stay updated
You're subscribed
image
Register for free
and continue reading
Registering also lets you comment on articles and helps us improve your experience. It takes just a few seconds.
Already registered? Enter your email to sign in.
Please use the following structure: example@domain.com
Or Continue with
By registering you agree to the terms and conditions. Once registered, you’ll receive our Daily Edition email for free.
Register to continue
Or Continue with
Log in to continue
Sign in or Register
Or Continue with
check your email
Check your email
We sent an email to you at .
It has a link that will sign you in.