BEIRUT: An Israeli tank opened fire near a joint Lebanese army and UNIFIL patrol on Friday afternoon, in the latest incident to heighten tensions along the Blue Line.
The tank shell reportedly landed near Wadi Al-Asafir, south of the town of Khiam, where the Lebanese army and UNIFIL were conducting a field operation. The fire was said to have come from a newly established Israeli position in the Hamams area, according to eyewitnesses.
A Lebanese military source told Arab News: “This is not the first time Israeli forces have targeted Lebanese army and UNIFIL units. Similar incidents have occurred during operations south of the Litani River, and UNIFIL has previously issued statements condemning such actions.”
Earlier on Friday, an Israeli drone fired three missiles at a vehicle in Baalbek, eastern Lebanon, in a failed assassination attempt. Witnesses said the first strike hit a car traveling on the Majdaloun-Baalbek road. The driver, believed to be Palestinian, managed to escape, tossing his phone out before parking near Dar Al-Amal Hospital.
The drone fired a second missile that missed, resulting in material damage only. A third strike followed, but the target was not injured.
