“My soul is among lions, I do lie down among them that are aflame; even the sons of men, whose teeth are spears and arrows, and their tongue a sharp sword.” (Psalms 57:5)
An IDF soldier was killed Sunday evening while driving alone along the Israel-Lebanon border, as a result of gunfire from the Lebanese side. The vehicle he was in was an IDF vehicle, though regulations allegedly state patrols must be done with back-up, never alone.
According to the Al-Manar network, affiliated with Hezbollah, Israel fired back on Lebanese security posts following reports of the soldier’s death. The IDF Spokespersons’ Unit claims the “military reserves the right to retaliate.”
The IDF’s preliminary investigation showed that the IDF vehicle was target from within the Lebanese border, likely by a lone soldier who fired 6-7 bullets “of his own accord.” The IDF detected Lebanese soldiers near the scene of the shooting, which was the same location where four IDF soldiers were injured in an explosion in August.
UNIFIL spokesman Andrea Tenenti said, “We are now trying to determine the facts of what happened and the situation is ongoing. UNIFIL’s force commander is in contact with counterparts in the Lebanese and Israeli army, urging restraint.” Tenenti also said both sides were cooperating fully with UNIFIL.
According to a senior military source: “The circumstances have yet to be determined, but this is serious,” but there are no indications of terrorist infiltration. Aircraft-assisted forces are working to ensure that.
Tensions seem to be mounting as a result of the incident. Ynetnews.com is reporting that the IDF has called up numerous forces to the border area near the scene.
Meanwhile, Lebanese media outlets report that Hezbollah is on ready-alert in southern Lebanon as a precautionary measure in case of developments on the border.
The soldier was identified as St.-Sgt. Maj. Shlomi Cohen. The 31-year-old from Afula left behind a wife and a daughter, who will turn one next month, as reported by the Jerusalem Post. He will be laid to rest on Monday evening in Haifa.
