Unusual Incident: Gunman Crosses into Israel from Lebanon and Is Killed After Firing on Troops

A gunman crossed into Israeli territory from the Lebanon border today, Tuesday, and was killed after opening fire on IDF forces. There were no Israeli casualties in the unusual incident, which took place near Margaliot and marks the first time in the campaign that a Lebanese gunman has infiltrated Israel. A knife and a pistol were found on the gunman's body. The IDF has opened an investigation into the incident.

A military source told Kan News that "there are terrorists who are cut off from their units and roaming the area." According to the source, although the IDF is aware of the phenomenon, "a terrorist is not supposed to get all the way to the fence, and certainly not cross it without being arrested or killed."

On Saturday, two officers and a soldier in the Lebanese army were killed in an Israeli strike in southern Lebanon. The IDF said the vehicle that was struck "was moving suspiciously on its way to forces operating in the area," and that the incident is under review. Only after the strike did it become clear that Lebanese soldiers were in the vehicle, and the IDF spokesman said the area is one where Hezbollah operates extensively and where there are warnings about firing at army forces, and that movement in an active combat zone requires coordination with the IDF. The statement also said that the IDF is investigating the incident and will draw lessons from it. The army stressed that it is operating against Hezbollah, not against the Lebanese army.

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