Four IDF soldiers were injured during the predawn hours on Wednesday, 2 Rosh Chodesh Elul 5773 as they were operating along the Lebanese border. According to doctors, they sustained light-to-moderate shrapnel injuries and they were all conscious and alert when they arrived at Nahariya Hospital. Two were taken for immediate surgery and they are in an intensive care unit.

The IDF is investigating the circumstances surrounding the blast. Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu was on his way to the Negev when he was informed of the incident, releasing a statement that Israel will continue doing whatever necessary to protect its borders.

Lebanese Radio reports the blasts occurred on the Israeli side of the border while residents in southern Lebanon who spoke with the media say the blast occurred inside Lebanon. A Lebanese military source quoted in the media says the IDF soldiers came 150 meters into Lebanese territory and that is when the explosion took place. Yet another report says the IDF force operating on the Israeli side of the border activated illumination flares and this prompted a response from Lebanese and UNIFIL troops. This report does not explain the explosion however.

The IDF is not releasing additional information pertaining to the incident at this time.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)