As UNIFIL declared that IDF forces entered one of their positions in southern Lebanon and dropped smoke bombs that sickened peacekeepers, Israel admits these incidents occurred but says they occurred during efforts to evacuate injured IDF soldiers who came under attack.
Troops came under “massive anti-tank fire” earlier today, the IDF says. Two soldiers were seriously injured and several others were slightly or moderately injured.
From an initial investigation, the IDF states, “it appears that during the incident and for the evacuation, two tanks reversed at a point where they could not go elsewhere due to the threat of fire, several meters within a UNIFIL position.”
The tanks remained for 45 minutes, says UNIFIL
“After the fire ended and the evacuation of the injured was completed, the tanks withdrew from the position.”
UNIFIL says the tanks were there for 45 minutes.
The IDF adds that smoke screens have been deployed to aid evacuation. “The IDF maintained constant contact with UNIFIL. During the entire incident, there was no danger to UNIFIL forces due to IDF operations.”
With information from the Times of Israel