DoubleTapper: Northern Border Attack Video and Official Statement

IDF Spokesman / Lt. Col. Avital Leibovich

Initial Statement:

Today's unprovoked attack by the Lebanese army against the IDF, took place in Israeli territory along Israeli's Northern border. In some areas, there is a gap between the IDF security fence and the actual border, which is where this attack took place. IDF soldiers were conducting routine maintenance work including clearing bushes from the area. This sort of activity is crucial to keep an open line of sight, to prevent attacks and kidnappings, like the one in the summer of 2006, which was in a similar location.

This crucial work was fully coordinated with UNIFIL, and there was nothing unique about it.

A Lebanese sniper opened fire towards IDF forces in a clear and blatant violation of UN security council resolution 1701.

The IDF retaliated with artillery and helicopter fire.

IDF intelligence is investigating if this was premeditated attack.

Q: Why was this so well documented on the Lebanese side? Seems odd.
Lt. Col Avital: We are investigating. Were snipers brought especially for this attack? We will know in next few hours.

Q: Rumors of Hizbollah fighters on scene. Is this true?
Lt. Col Avital: Right now, full responsibility on Lebanese Army. This will be checked.

Lt. Col Avital: Soldiers conducting maintenance work; it was the IDF commanders who watched the work who were shot at.

The LAF opened fire not at the soldiers who were doing the routine maintainance work on the fence, but at the commanders who were standing nearby observing the work. this indicates that it was a preplanned attack not in reaction to the work on the fence.

The IDF estimates 4 casualties on their side.

Some parts of the LAF are influenced by Hezbollah

After the initial exchange of fire, we were requested to suspend our fire so that they could evacuate their wounded. roughly half an hour after we suspended our fire, LAF shot an RPG at one of our tanks. They missed the tank and our tank returned fire.

IDF only opened fire in response to our soldiers being shot at and wounded.

This is the most serious incident along the northern border since 2006.

The Border is currently calm.

Official Israeli Casualty Statement:

Critically wounded: IDF Captain Ezra Lakia (res) from Kfar Ha’Rif

Captain Lakia is a decorated IDF warrior. On Tuesday, July 23, 2002 (14 Av 5762), a platoon from IDF Haruv Battalion was sent to look for terrorists, one week after a horrific terror attack on a passenger bus near Emanuel that killed nine. Then-Lieutenant Lakia commanded the force.
Two terrorists were waiting in ambush, and when the IDF soldiers were 50 meters away from them, they opened fire. Lt. Lakia gave an order to open fire and then charged at the two terrorists himself, killing them both.
He received the Divisional Commander Citation for professionalism, leadership and courage.
IDF Captain (res) Ezra Lakia

Killed: IDF Battalion Commander Lt Col Dov Harari (res) will be laid to rest at 16:00 Wednesday, August 4^th 2010 at the Netanya Military cemetery. Lt Col Dov Harari is survived by his wife and four children.