Israeli forces engaged in clashes with infiltrators from Lebanon early Sunday morning, killing 4 militants that were attempting to cross the border into Israel. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) stated that the militants were likely part of Hezbollah terror cells that were planning attacks on Israeli targets.
Terror Cells Discovered Planning Imminent Attacks
According to the IDF, 3 terror cells were discovered in southern Lebanon in recent weeks that were planning attacks on Israeli communities near the border. The cells were comprised of 5-6 militants each who were trained in Iran and had access to weapons.
IDF spokesperson Lt. Col. Richard Hecht stated in a press conference: “We had specific intelligence that these cells were planning assaults on our border communities imminently. They were gathering intelligence and waiting for the opportune moment to strike.”
The IDF launched strikes on the terror cells from the air on Friday evening, destroying their operations. It is believed 4 militants were killed in those strikes. The militants killed Sunday morning are thought to be part of a remaining cell that was attempting to cross into Israel to carry out attacks.
Clashes at Border Crossing Leave 4 Militants Dead
On Sunday at approximately 5:30am local time, IDF surveillance identified a group of suspects attempting to infiltrate the border fence from Lebanon. Troops were immediately dispatched to intercept the militants.
A firefight ensued in which IDF soldiers killed 4 militants that were armed with assault rifles and grenades. No IDF casualties were reported. Troops conducted sweeps of the area to ensure no additional suspects crossed the border fence.
The IDF has been on high alert in northern border areas due to increased activity by Hezbollah in Lebanon. Patrols have been boosted in recent weeks as intelligence suggested terror groups were planning attacks to coincide with the 2 year anniversary of the Gaza war this May.
Sunday’s border incident is the first clash between Israeli forces and armed militants from Lebanon this year. In 2022, two similar infiltration attempts were prevented resulting in the death of 3 Hezbollah operatives.
| Year | Infiltration Attempts from Lebanon | Militants Killed | IDF Casualties
|——|————————————|—————–|—————-|
| 2022 | 2 | 3 | 0 |
| 2023 | 1 | 4 | 0 |
Israel Hits Back After Months of Rising Tensions
Tensions between Israel and Hezbollah have been escalating over the past 6 months after a long period of relative quiet along the northern border. Experts cite a number of reasons for the renewed hostility:
- Iranian pressure: With sanctions taking a toll, Iran has reportedly been turning up the heat on its proxy Hezbollah to step up operations against Israel to distract from growing domestic unrest.
- Lebanon’s economic crisis: The economic meltdown in Lebanon is placing strain on Hezbollah’s finances and public support. The group may be using attacks on Israel to rally backing.
- Changing IDF strategy: Israel has adopted a more aggressive approach regarding suspected Hezbollah activity in Lebanon after years of restraint. Preemptive strikes like those conducted Friday have become more common.
The destruction of 3 terror cells and the killing of 4 militants Sunday delivers the toughest Israeli blow to Hezbollah in years. It remains to be seen whether the incidents will deter further aggression from the Iran-backed group, or spark retaliation.
Lebanon and UN Call for Restraint
Lebanese President Michel Aoun convened an emergency meeting of military and security chiefs on Sunday afternoon to assess the border situation. A statement released after the meeting called on all parties to exercise maximum restraint to avoid inflaming tensions.
Lebanon continues to suffer economic catastrophe and societal unrest stemming from its 2022 financial collapse. Many analysts state the country is in no position to weather another conflict.
The UN Interim Force In Lebanon (UNIFIL) also urged restraint by both Israel and Lebanon’s Armed Forces who have increased patrols near the border. UNIFIL was expanded and given broader powers after 2006’s month-long Israel-Lebanon war, but has recently faced criticism for not doing enough to keep the border region secure.
Background on Israel-Hezbollah Tensions
Conflict between Israel and Lebanese militant groups has occurred consistently since Israel’s founding in 1948. Hezbollah first emerged in 1982 and has since engaged in periodic clashes with Israel, including a month-long war in 2006.
Hezbollah is considered a terrorist organization by Israel and Western nations but holds major political power in Lebanon. It acts as a proxy for Iran, receiving funding and thousands of missiles to point at Israel.
A truce established after the 2006 war has largely kept northern border areas quiet. But hostilities have risen steadily since Israel began striking Hezbollah convoys in Syria in 2013. In 2015, Hezbollah killed 2 IDF soldiers in retaliation for an Israeli strike that killed 6 Hezbollah members and an Iranian general.
Outlook: Further Confrontations Likely
Most analysts believe Sunday’s engagements unlikely to lead to sustained escalation in the near term, but expect violent flare-ups to increase this year.
Hezbollah and Iran face too much domestic pressure not to distract through attacks on Israel. And Israel will continue its strategy of hitting Hezbollah in Lebanon preemptively after years of reluctance.
But neither side wants full scale war. Hezbollah needs time to rebuild its arsenal and forces after losses in Syria’s civil war. And Israel is occupied with West Bank tensions and the potential for renewed conflict in Gaza this summer.
For now, both seem set to continue needling each other through isolated strikes and brief border skirmishes like Sunday’s. But the situation remains extremely volatile, especially with Lebanon under immense strain. Further infiltration attempts, rocket attacks from Lebanon, and Israeli preemptive strikes all seem inevitable in 2023.
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