Sorry For His Attack On The Border Kills Lebanese Soldiers, Israeli Military: Will Be Investigated

Israel-Lebanon border illustration. (Wikimedia Commons/Johnny Zoo)

JAKARTA - Israel Defense Forces (IDF) apologized for the death of the Lebanese army in an attack carried out on targets linked to the Hezbollah militant group in the border region of the two countries, the first death since cross-border tensions following the outbreak of the war in the Gaza Strip, Palestine.

Tensions on the Lebanese-Israeli border have escalated since armed clashes broke out between militant groups Hamas and Israel on October 7, raising fears the war will spread over the region.

"The military position in the Adayseh area was bombarded by Israeli enemies, causing one soldier to be killed and three others injured," the Lebanese army said in a statement.

According to the IDF, Israeli forces "are trying to neutralize the real identified threat" at the Hezbollah launch and observation posts along the border.

"The IDF received reports that a number of soldiers in the Lebanese armed forces were injured in the attack. Lebanese military forces were not the target of the attack," the statement said.

"IDF apologizes for the incident and will be investigated," the statement said.

Commenting on the death of the Lebanese army, the UN peacekeeping mission (UNIFIL) said in a statement: "The Lebanese Armed Forces are not involved in conflict with Israel."

"Over the last few days, we have seen a rapid and worrying increase in violence," UNIFIL added.

urged an end to the "violent cycle, which could have devastating consequences for both sides."

Israel's northern border with Lebanon has been heating up significantly since the Israeli-Hamas war began, in which Hezbollah attempted to bind troops to a series of clashes and low-level attacks.

Hezbollah said 79 of its members had been killed since the war broke out in southern Lebanon. Meanwhile, on the part of Israel, six soldiers and three civilians were killed.

The fighting has forced tens of thousands of people from Israeli northern settlements to flee, which have been hit by rocket fire and fire by Hezbollah and a group of Palestinian allies.