Israeli tank backs into UNIFIL post amid firefight in S. Lebanon: army

JERUSALEM, Oct. 13 (Xinhua) — Israel’s military said in a statement on Sunday that its tank attempting to evacuate wounded troops inadvertently backed several meters into a post of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL).
The statement followed a UNIFIL report of Israeli tanks breaching the main gate of one of its positions in southern Lebanon’s Ramyah area. Shells fired by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) exploded 100 meters away, releasing smoke that sickened about 15 peacekeepers. The UNIFIL said the tanks left about 45 minutes later.
According to the IDF, two of its soldiers were severely injured, and several others sustained light to moderate wounds from a barrage of anti-tank missiles.
An initial review indicated that the IDF tank, “while trying to evacuate injured soldiers under fire, backed several meters into a UNIFIL post,” the military said, adding, “As the enemy fire ceased, the tank left the post after the evacuation of wounded soldiers.”
During the incident, troops deployed a smoke screen to “provide cover for the evacuation of the injured soldiers,” the military explained, emphasizing that “at no point was the UNIFIL in danger due to IDF activity.”
The incident adds to the growing list of accusations against Israeli violations. Since Sept. 23, the Israeli army has been carrying out an intense air campaign on Lebanon amid escalating tensions with Hezbollah. In the campaign, UNIFIL positions in southern Lebanon have also been attacked, with at least five UN peacekeepers injured over the past week. Some of Israel’s allies have condemned Israel over the injuries of UNIFIL forces. ■