IDF fires flares near Lebanese border after suspicious movements

Military scanning area near Metula, but says no fears of an attack

By ToI Staff 16 July 2021, 11:58 pm

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Israeli soldiers stand guard after firing flares above the northern town of Metulla, by the border with Lebanon, following a pro-Palestinian protest across the border in the Lebanese Khiam area, on May 14, 2021 (Jalaa MAREY / AFP)

File: Israeli soldiers stand guard after firing flares above the northern town of Metulla, by the border with Lebanon, on May 14, 2021 (Jalaa MAREY / AFP)

The Israeli military fired flares along the Lebanese border Friday night, near the town of Metula, after identifying suspicious movement in the border area, the army said.

The military said troops were searching the area, though it added that the incident was not a potential attack.

Earlier Friday a military drone crashed in Lebanese territory due to a technical malfunction, the military said.

The Israel Defense Forces said the incident was being investigated and added that no sensitive information had been lost due to the crash and there was no risk of intelligence being taken from the device.

Earlier this month the military seized dozens of weapons on the Lebanese border as they were being smuggled into the country.

Israeli security officials were said to believe the weapons were destined to be used in terror attacks inside Israel.

Over a dozen attempted weapon smuggling attempts were thwarted along the northern border since the beginning of 2021, with over 120 rifles and pistols confiscated, according to police.

Judah Ari Gross contributed to this report.