Two Israeli Soldiers Killed in Hezbollah Missile Attack

Two Israeli soldiers were killed in a missile attack on Israeli-Lebanese border Wednesday morning, an incident that could quickly metastasize tensions between Israel and its northern neighbor.

The soldiers were in an unarmed vehicle near the Har Dov mountain where the borders dividing Israel, Lebanon, and Syria blur; they have not been publicly named. Israel said seven were injured in the attack, but denied reports of a captured Israeli soldier.

Hezbollah militants claimed responsibility for the attack, calling it retaliation for a missile strike that killed six Hezbollah fighters in the Golan Heights last week. The attack was followed by shelling at nearby Israeli military positions, which caused no injuries.

Israel responded Wednesday afternoon with shelling in southern Lebanon, reportedly killing a Spanish peace keeper.

“At these moments, the I.D.F. is responding to events in the north,” said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. “We will not allow terror elements to disrupt the lives of our citizens and threaten their security. We will know how to respond with force to whoever challenges us.”

Israel and Lebanon have exchanged sporadic rocket and gunfire over the past decade, as Lebanon says it is resisting Israeli incursions and Israel says it is responding to militant aggression. Wednesday’s attack appeared to be one of the worst in years.

[h/t Guardian]

[Image via yakub88 / Shutterstock.com]

——
>> Follow Evan McMurry (@evanmcmurry) on Twitter

New: The Mediaite One-Sheet "Newsletter of Newsletters"
Your daily summary and analysis of what the many, many media newsletters are saying and reporting. Subscribe now!