The mistaken attack that nearly led to a serious crisis with Lebanon

A diplomatic crisis between Israel and Lebanon was averted after the IDF mistakenly attacked a Lebanese army vehicle near the village of Ras al-Biyada. There were no casualties. The IDF stated that the incident is under investigation.

A diplomatic crisis between Israel and Lebanon was averted after a misidentification led the IDF to attack a Lebanese army vehicle, nearly hitting Lebanese soldiers. The incident was first reported Wednesday evening on the Kan News broadcast. Last week, a remotely controlled IDF robotic APC was on a mission near the village of Ras al-Biyada in southern Lebanon, where soldiers of the Netzah Yehuda Battalion operate. Due to a malfunction, the APC began moving uncontrollably and approached a Lebanese army post. The IDF decided to destroy it and attacked it from the air with several strikes that hit nearby. Only afterward was it discovered that a manned Lebanese army vehicle had been mistakenly attacked. There were no casualties and no damage was caused. Harm to Lebanese soldiers, which could have led to a serious crisis and even the end of talks between the countries, was avoided. The IDF responded: "The incident is known and under investigation. We emphasize that IDF activity in the area is directed solely against the terrorist organization Hezbollah, and not against the Lebanese army." About two weeks ago, it was reported that Hezbollah is establishing itself in the pilot areas in southern Lebanon, which were agreed to be vacated by the IDF and placed under Lebanese army control.