IDF thwarts Hezbollah terror cell infiltration along border with Lebanon

The cell fled back into Lebanon without firing at IDF troops, Zilberman said, denying reports that anti-tank guided missiles were fired during the incident. “We have some tense days ahead,” the IDF general said. While the condition of the Hezbollah fighters is unclear, the Hezbollah-affiliated Al-Mayadeen news outlet reported that no Hezbollah fighters were killed during the failed attack. There were no IDF injuries or casualties. Hezbollah later released a statement saying that there had been no clash along the border and that IDF troops had fired on empty fields, making up the entire incident, due to their “extreme fear” over a Hezbollah retaliation.“The Islamic Resistance confirms no clash or exchange of fire occurred on its end during today’s incidents until this moment. Instead, all came from one side, that of the fearful, worried, and nervous Israeli enemy,” said a statement released by the group.The group said that its response to the death of its member in Syria “is definitely coming” and that the damage of one of the houses in the village of Al-Habariyah “will not pass quietly.”Earlier in the afternoon had been unconfirmed reports of an exchange of fire along the border, with photos released by Hezbollah-affiliated reporters on Twitter showed plumes of smoke near Kfarchouba in southern Lebanon near Israel’s Har Dov area, after reports that the IDF had fired shells toward the area.United Nations Interim Forces in Lebanon (UNIFIL) chief Maj.-Gen. Stefano Del Col contacted both Israeli and Lebanese forces during the incident in an attempt to restore quiet along the border.  According to various Lebanese media reports, a Hezbollah cell fired anti-tank guided missiles (ATGMs) towards an IDF vehicle near the southern Shebaa Farms area, and the IDF responded by shelling Lebanese territory.During the incident, residents of northern Israeli communities bordering the Lebanese border were instructed by the IDF to remain in their homes and that non-essential car travel “should be avoided.” But after about an hour of clashes, the Home Front Command said that residents could “return to normal.” Lebanese media also reported that residents close to the Israeli border could return to their daily routine as the smoke cleared.Nevertheless, Zilberman said that the military considers the event to be ongoing, with the possibility of additional future attacks.More than a dozen communities, including Avivim, HaGoshrim, Zarit, Hanit, Yiftach, Kfar Giladi, Misgav Am, Metula, Neve Ativ, Kiryat Shmona, Rosh Hanikra, Shlomi and Shetula, were affected after a security incident in the area of Har Dov was reported.Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Benny Gantz left the Knesset, where they had been holding faction meetings, and headed to the Defense MInistry in Tel Aviv to oversee the continued operations. 
MOMENTS BEFORE the incident began, Netanyahu warned that Lebanon and Hezbollah will be responsible for any attack against Israel.”Our policy is clear. First, we will not allow Iran to entrench militarily on our border with Syria. This is the policy that I set years ago; we uphold it consistently. Second, Lebanon and Hezbollah will bear the responsibility for any attack against us emanating from Lebanese territory,” he said during the Likud faction meeting at the Knesset. Netanyahu made the comments as tensions remain high along Israel’s northern borders, with the IDF concerned of a potential Hezbollah attack against military targets, either by sniper or anti-tank guided missiles.“The IDF is prepared for any scenario. We are active in all arenas for the security of Israel – both close to our borders and far from them,” he said. “We are constantly monitoring what is happening on our northern border. When I say ‘we,’ that means myself, the defense minister, the IDF Chief-of-Staff – all of us together.”The Prime Minister cut short the Likud faction meeting and left Jerusalem to the IDF’s Kirya military headquarters in Tel Aviv to hold a security assessment. “We are in the midst of a serious security event,” he said.
GANTZ, who also left the Knesset for the security assessment with Netanyahu and other senior defense officials, warned before the incident that “no enemy test us.”Speaking at the beginning of the Blue and White faction meeting, he said that “whoever does so will discover a determined and alert military that is ready to protect the citizens of Israel and its sovereignty.”“I reiterate – the responsibility lies with the State of Syria and the State of Lebanon for any action that is taken from their territory.” Gantz stated that Iran and its proxies continue to “try to establish an Iranian choke hold” along Israel’s northern border, but that the IDF and security forces will “continue to act against Iran, the smuggling of weaponry and against the precision missile project.”

The defense minister spoke with IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Aviv Kochavi – who has been in Tzfat at the army’s Northern Command Headquarters for the past three days – regarding the incident in the North and was updated on the situation. He also spoke with heads of the communities found on the Israeli-Lebanon confrontation line, led by Mateh Asher Regional Council head Moshe Davidovich.The IDF has been on high alert since an alleged Israeli airstrike in Syria last week killed a Hezbollah fighter.On Friday, following a situational assessment and in accordance with the Northern Command’s defense plan, the military said it deployed additional troops to Division 91 and the 210 Bashan Division along with artillery and field intelligence troops “with the goal of strengthening defenses along the northern border.” Iron Dome missile defense batteries were also on alert, as well as Israel Air Force jets. Source

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