atrols near the Lebanese village of Dhaira on March 15, 2023.(Credit: Jalaa Marey/AFP)
BEIRUT — The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) said on Wednesday evening that it "did not observe any crossings" in recent days of the Blue Line on the southern border, after Israel announced the killing of a suspected would-be suicide bomber believed to have infiltrated the state from Lebanon.
"We are aware of media reports that an individual infiltrated Israel from Lebanon. UNIFIL has not observed any crossing of the Blue Line in recent days," UNIFIL spokesperson Andrea Tenenti said in a statement.
"UNIFIL’s Head of Mission and Force Commander, Major General Aroldo Lázaro, urges both parties to use restraint, preserve stability, and employ UNIFIL’s liaison and coordination mechanisms to avoid misunderstandings and decrease tensions," the text adds.
The Israeli army announced Wednesday that it killed a suspect wearing an explosive belt in northern Israel on Monday, citing the possible involvement of Lebanon's Hezbollah. The man, suspected of infiltrating Israel from Lebanon, was shot by Israeli forces in northern Israel while wearing an explosive belt, according to a statement from the Israeli army. "We are examining the possibility that the terrorist organization Hezbollah is involved," the statement added.
Contacted by L'Orient-Le Jour on Wednesday evening, Andrea Tenenti said he was "only aware of the facts conveyed by the media." "We have no additional information at this time," he added, saying he was following the incident.
Hezbollah, for its part, said it had no further information on the case.
"I congratulate the security forces for neutralizing the terrorist involved in the bombing at the Megiddo intersection," wrote Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant on Twitter.
“The situation is being assessed with the government, which will decide on the response,” the Israeli army said in a statement.
In 2006, the last major confrontation between Israel and Hezbollah left more than 1,200 dead on the Lebanese side, mostly civilians, and 160 dead on the Israeli side, mostly soldiers. The latest anti-Israeli suicide bombing injured 21 people in Jerusalem on April 19, 2016.