Israeli forces cross Lebanon buffer in 'routine operation'

Ma'an
Lebanese news agencies said a 17-strong force of Israeli soldiers crossed the border fence into the Ghajar village on Thursday, taking up a post on one of its hilltops.

Israeli media quoted army personnel describing the event as a routine operation. The force crossed a fence but not the border, reports said.

On Saturday, the Lebanese military reported firing on two Israeli fighter aircraft that reportedly entered the country's airspace. A statement issued by the Lebanese army said ground artillery fired at two low-flying Israeli jet fighters. The Israeli army had no comment on that incident.

In 2009, there were two incidents of exchanged fire between Israel and Lebanon. On 21 February 2009, Israel shelled southern Lebanon after a rocket landed in Israel. Hizbullah and Palestinian factions all denied involvement in the launch.

On 11 September 2009, two Katyusha rockets landed in the northern Israeli city of Nahariya, near the border with Lebanon, and Israeli forces responded by firing 15 artillery shells at what they said was the source of the fire, across the border in Lebanon.

No damages or injuries were reported in either incident. Full story