UN vindicates Israel over deadly exchange of fire with Lebanese troops
05 August 2010
The peacekeeping force of the United Nations in southern Lebanon (UNIFIL) has confirmed that Israeli forces were pruning trees located on Israeli territory before an exchange of fire with Lebanese troops. An UNIFIL statement largely vindicated Israel’s account of how the fighting, in which one Israel and two Lebanese soldiers as well as a Lebanese journalist died, began. “The UN established that the trees being cut by the Israeli army are located south of the Blue Line on the Israeli side,’’ it said, referring the internationally recognized border demarcated by the UN in 2000 when Israel withdrew its forces from Lebanon. But both sides committed themselves to respecting the line as identified, the UN peacekeeping force added.
On Wednesday, UNFIL convened a ‘tripartite’ meeting on the Israeli-Lebanese border, in which UN officials as well as IDF and Lebanese army officers took part. "Israel and Lebanon have agreed to respect the UN's resolutions," UNIFIL’s commander Alberto Asarta Cuevas said Wednesday night following the meeting at the Nakoura crossing. In Washington, US State Department spokesman P.J. Crowley said the UN finding was conclusive. "The firing by Lebanese armed forces was totally unjustified and unwarranted," he said. Israel’s defense minister, Ehud Barak, told ‘Israel Radio’ that the IDF response to what he termed a “provocation” by the Lebanese army had been correct and measured. However, Barak said there was a need to ensure that the incident did not turn into a new conflict.
Meanwhile, IDF Lt.-Col. (res) Dov Harari, 45, who was killed in the incident, was buried in his hometown Netanya (picture). He is survived by his wife and four children.
» OPINION - Larry Derfner: Right and wrong in Lebanon - Jerusalem Post, Israel
» Do you think Israel gets fair treatment from the international community? 
Comments
We welcome any comments you may have on this article.
What a terrible shame,that this happened.thank G-d it didn't turn worse.
If you are a facebook user you may choose to have the comment appear on your wall.
Comments are moderated and we reserve the right to edit or remove any which are derogatory or offensive.
The WJC is not responsible for the content of any comments.
Get Involved
World Jewish Congress Secretary General Dan Diker speaks on the upcoming debate at the United Nations about the unilateral declaration of statehood by the Palestinians.
khuder, about 1 year ago
I hope readers of this message to the end I am ready to work in the State of Israel, and without charge, for one year, only I got my baptism of the Protestant Church and the Study of Christianity Albroctantip note I am a consulting engineer and my experience of not less than 16 years, I do not want to die for Islam, for reasons of my own, I appeal to you the spirit of Moses and the spirit of Judaism you not looking for a material benefit at all, explain to me how to get to your state Alvezy note because I'm in an Arab country (Libya) because so please take caution