The Strategic Division // Israel Defense Forces 1

LAF Fires at IDF Patrol on Israeli Side of Border

SUMMARY OF 1 AUGUST EVENTS

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Focal Points

The attack by LAF soldiers against IDF forces was an act of deliberate aggression that had the potential of resulting in a drastic escalation of hostilities between Israel and Lebanon.The attack was unprovoked; the IDF forces, as confirmed by the UNIFIL Spokesman, were performing a routine operation in Israeli territory almost 30 meters east of the Blue Line. Moreover, the force was already retreating from its forward position when the fire took place.While the technical fence adjoins the Blue Line in some locations, Israel has chosen to locate other parts of it southern/eastern to the Blue Line due to tactical and operational demands. Consequently, the distance between the fence and the Blue Line can extend as far as a few hundred meters, leaving territory north of the fence but south/east of the Blue Line. This event, combined with a number of recent provocations, including incidents in which LAF forces positioned arms in the direction of Israeli forces, reveals a stance within the LAF to deny the IDF’s right to operate within contested areas on Israel’s side of the Blue Line.Israel is not interested in further escalation, and expects Lebanon to reduce existing tensions and prevent additional incidents.Israel expects Lebanon to unequivocally enforce UNSCR 1701's call to disarm Hizbullah and other armed militias operating in southern Lebanon. UNIFIL should also make efforts to prevent border crossings.

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The "Blue Line" between Israel and Lebanon was demarcated by the UN in May 2000 in order to help the parties in the identification of a line for the purpose of confirming Israel's compliance with UNSCR 425 (1978). On 16 June 2000, the Security Council confirmed that Israel had fully withdrawn from southern Lebanon.

The route of the Technical Fence runs either directly along the Blue Line, or southern/eastern of it (within Israeli territory). UN Security Council Resolution 1701(2006) calls for the "full respect for the Blue Line by both parties".

The Blue Line, not the technical fence, constitutes the internationally-recognized demarcation line, which both the Israeli and Lebanese governments approved in 2000.

Demarcation by Israel and Lebanon of a final border based on the Blue Line is ongoing.

The Blue Line

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The Incident

At approximately 06:50 on 1 August 2011, the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) opened fire at Israeli troops patrolling the border along the Hatzbani River.

The IDF troops were performing a routine operation in Israeli territory, crossing the Technical Fence but remaining 30 meters east of the Blue Line (as depicted in the following slides). UNIFIL spokesman Neeraj Singh confirmed this to the press some hours later. The LAF fire took place while the majority of the IDF force (2/3) were retreating from their forward position and the rest of the force (1/3) was with its back to the Lebanese frontier.

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The Incident – Location of IDF and LAF Forces

LAF Forces

IDF Forces

The Incident – Location of IDF and LAF Forces

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LAF Forces

IDF Forces

The Incident

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In response to the fire, IDF troops returned light arms fire in the direction of an LAF outpost. To prevent any further escalation, IDF commanders decided against using tanks as a response to the LAF fire.

The IDF also reported the incident to UNIFIL forces, sending the message that Israel was not interested in an escalation of the violence.

Following the incident, UNIFIL forces arrived at the scene.

As a result of the exchange of fire, one LAF soldier was injured lightly. There were no IDF injuries.

The event came ahead of celebrations in Lebanon in commemoration of the 66th anniversary of the Lebanese Army Day (August 1). Within the framework of these celebrations, Lebanese President Michel Suleiman praised the army for its conduct during the incident.

Past Incident

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The IDF responded with light arms fire and artillery towards the source of fire, attacking an LAF brigade HQ in a-Taiba, during which a number of LAF armored vehicles were damaged and 3 LAF soldiers were killed.

The IDF operation was fully coordinated in advance with UNIFIL and, as with the recent incident, occurred south of the Blue Line, within Israeli territory.

On 3 August 2010, LAF soldiers opened fire on an IDF force clearing trees and brushes along the technical fence near the Lebanese village of el-Adeisse, south of the Blue Line.

Sniper fire targeted and killed an Israeli Battalion Commander and seriously injured an other officer.