Deadly ID Error in Southern Lebanon Leaves Three Lebanese Soldiers Killed in Israeli Strike

Two officers and one soldier from the Lebanese army were killed this morning (*Shabbat*) in an Israeli strike in southern Lebanon, the Lebanese army announced. The IDF confirmed the strike and said the targeted vehicle was identified as "moving suspiciously toward forces operating in the area," while stressing that the circumstances of the incident are under investigation.

According to the IDF statement, only after the strike was carried out did it become clear that the passengers in the vehicle were Lebanese soldiers. The military said this is an area where there is extensive activity by the Hezbollah terror organization, and that there have been warnings of fire directed at IDF forces operating in the area. It also said that movement in an active combat zone requires prior coordination with the IDF.

The military said the incident is being investigated and that lessons will be learned based on the findings. At the same time, it stressed that IDF operations in southern Lebanon are aimed at Hezbollah and not at the Lebanese army.

In Lebanon, the strike was strongly condemned. In a statement published by the Lebanese army, it was claimed that "the barbaric attack will only strengthen the determination to fight attempts to undermine efforts to reach a full ceasefire — and to secure Israel's withdrawal from the territories it occupied in Lebanon."

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun also addressed the incident and attacked Israel. According to him, "I strongly condemn the Israeli attack that struck a Lebanese army patrol this morning and caused the deaths of two officers and a soldier. This is despite the efforts Lebanon is investing in negotiations in Washington in order to put an end to the Israeli attacks without anyone deterring it."

Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam also joined the condemnations and said that "the attack by Israel is a terrible crime, and is considered an attack on Lebanon and all Lebanese people."