2010 Israel–Lebanon border clash

2010 Israeli-Lebanese clash
Part of the Israeli-Lebanese conflict
Date August 3, 2010 Location Israel-Lebanon border
Belligerents
Israel Defence Forces	Lebanese Army
Casualties and losses
1 killed, 2 wounded	3 killed, 5 wounded
1 civilian killed

The 2010 Israeli–Lebanese clash occurred on August 3, 2010 when IDF and Lebanese Army Forces engaged in cross-border shootouts. Initial reports say three Lebenese soldiers and one civilian were killed while five soldiers were wounded; reports also indicated 1 Israeli soldier was killed and 2 were wounded. This was the most serious escalation on the border since the 2006 Lebanon War.

Background

In the weeks leading up to the incident hostile rhetoric was traded between the Lebanese (particularly Hezbollah) and Israeli sides in light of the reports suggesting the Special Tribunal for Lebanon would indict Hezbollah members. Following an impromptu visit to Lebanon by King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia and Syria's Bashar al-Assad just days before the incident various media in in Lebanon and outside said the likelihood of sparking an outbreak of violence eased. Two days before the incidentm however, Assad made a statement marking Syria's Army Day warning that "The spectre of real peace in the region is disappearing, and the possibility of war is increasing."

Differing claims

Lebanese sources said the conflict began when an IDF patrol attempted to uproot some trees between the Lebanese villages of Adaisseh and Kuferkilla, while initial Israeli reports had said the soldiers were on a routine patrol, operating past the border fence, but within Israeli territory, since the fence does not always exactly parallel the border. Other reports said the Israeli soldiers were attempting to plant cameras.

Firefight

In the ensuing exchange of rocket and gunfire at least three Lebanese soldiers were reported killed and a journalist, Assaf Abou Rahhal, from Lebanon's Al-Akhbar. A Lebanese security official said "The Israelis fired four rockets that fell near a Lebanese army position in the village of Adaisseh and the Lebanese army fired back." Al Manar also said a high-ranking Israeli soldier was killed, though this was not yet independently verified and the Israeli army refused to comment. Lebanese witnesses said Israeli shells continued to hit the village of Adaisseh.

Reactions

• President Michel Suleiman vowed to "stand up to Israel's violation of Resolution 1701, whatever the price". He denounced the clash and called for both countries to respect the Blue Line. Prime Minister Saad Hariri called the attack a "violation of Lebanese sovereignty and demands." He called for "the United Nations and the international community bear their responsibilities and pressure Israel to stop its aggression."
• In a statement, Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman's office said that Israel saw the government of Lebanon as responsible for the tension between Israel and Lebanon earlier Tuesday. The shooting by Lebanon at IDF troops was “a serious violation of Security Council resolution 1701,” the statement said. Lieberman has instructed Israel's UN ambassador to file a complaint against Lebanon over the incident.

• Neeraj Singh, a spokesman for UNIFIL, confirmed the firefight and urged both sides to use "maximum restraint." He added that "UNIFIL peacekeepers are in the area and are trying to ascertain the circumstances of the incident and any possible casualties. Our immediate priority at this time is to restore calm in the area."