On Thursday (Sep. 2), the commander of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), Maj. Gen, Alberto Asarta Cuevas, hosted another tripartite meeting with representatives from the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) and the IDF at a UN position in Ras Al Naqoura.

The meeting was held to discuss the UNIFIL investigation into the shooting incident which occurred on August 3 when LAF forces opened fire on IDF soldiers who were within Israeli territory. As a result of the attack, Capt. Ezra Lakia (30) sustained severe injuries and Lt. Col. Dov Harari (45) was killed.

In an official statement, UNIFIL reported that it is reviewing the comments and information shared by both parties at this most recent meeting. As a reminder, on August 4, one day following the shooting incident, UNIFIL representatives verified previously made statements by IDF representatives that Israel had coordinated their work near the border previous to the incident, and that indeed the IDF forces had been operating within Israeli territory when they were attacked.

On August 25, UNIFIL announced that it had completed its investigation into the incident and confirmed its previously stated position that the IDF forces had been operating within Israeli territory when they were attacked by LAF soldiers.

Thursday’s tripartite meeting addressed other subjects as well, including marking the Blue Line, which had been discussed at the August 18th tripartite meeting.

Following Thursday’s meeting, Maj. Gen. Asarta said, “The discussions today reconfirmed that no party would like to see any escalation. They stress their continued commitment to maintain the cessation of hostilities and ensure that the exchange of fire that happened on August third remains an isolated incident.”

(YWN Israel Desk)