Fighting broke out along the
Lebanon-Israel border near the town of Adaisseh, Lebanon, on Aug. 3. The
incident began after Israeli troops crossed into Lebanese territory and began
uprooting trees, according to the Lebanese army. Their spokesperson said
Lebanese soldiers fired warning shots and Israeli forces responded with rocket
and gunfire attacks.
Five people died, including a
journalist for the Lebanese newspaper Al-Akhbar. Lebanese officials also reported
that civilian homes were destroyed in the skirmish.
Israel has predictably denied
violating Lebanese sovereignty, and Israeli Prime Minister Benyamin Netanyahu
stated that Lebanon is “directly responsible” for the fighting. According to
Israeli officials, the soldiers were on a routine patrol when they were
attacked.
Israel has repeatedly launched
offensives against Lebanon, including the 2006 war, in which at least 1,200
Lebanese were killed, thousands more wounded and millions displaced. Israel’s
incursion into Lebanon is in direct violation of U.N. resolution 1701, which
ended that war.
