Israeli Soldiers Say Killed 4 Infiltrating from Lebanon

Israeli soldiers stand guard during ongoing maintenance work along the Lebanese border, near Avivim town in northern Israel on June 13, 2023. (Photo by JALAA MAREY / AFP)
Israeli soldiers stand guard during ongoing maintenance work along the Lebanese border, near Avivim town in northern Israel on June 13, 2023. (Photo by JALAA MAREY / AFP)
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Israeli Soldiers Say Killed 4 Infiltrating from Lebanon

Israeli soldiers stand guard during ongoing maintenance work along the Lebanese border, near Avivim town in northern Israel on June 13, 2023. (Photo by JALAA MAREY / AFP)
Israeli soldiers stand guard during ongoing maintenance work along the Lebanese border, near Avivim town in northern Israel on June 13, 2023. (Photo by JALAA MAREY / AFP)

Israeli soldiers exchanged fire with individuals attempting to cross from Lebanon into Israel and killed four of them, the Israeli military said on Sunday.

The soldiers were on patrol in Har Dov around the disputed Shebaa Farms area, according to the military's statement, when they spotted the four who opened fire at the force, Reuters reported.

"During the exchanges of fire, army forces conducted artillery and mortar fire toward the area," the military said.



Iraq Initiates Contacts with Western Countries to Prevent Potential Israeli Strike

Sudani chairs a military meeting in Baghdad. (Government media)
Sudani chairs a military meeting in Baghdad. (Government media)
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Iraq Initiates Contacts with Western Countries to Prevent Potential Israeli Strike

Sudani chairs a military meeting in Baghdad. (Government media)
Sudani chairs a military meeting in Baghdad. (Government media)

The Iraqi government is making significant efforts to shield the country from the effects of the escalating conflict between Iran and Israel. Sources revealed that Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani has activated three internal and external strategies to prevent a potential Israeli strike on Iraq.
Concerns have grown since Iran launched hundreds of missiles at Israel on Tuesday night, some of which crossed through Iraqi airspace. Pro-Iran factions have also intensified their attacks on Israeli and US targets.
A senior official from Sudani’s office told Asharq Al-Awsat that the Iraqi government is "moving swiftly on three simultaneous fronts to avoid the repercussions of the war and keep the country away from its dangerous consequences."
These efforts involve diplomatic engagements with Iraq’s Western allies, especially the US and the UK, to convince them that Iraq is neutral in the conflict. The aim is to encourage them to pressure Israel to refrain from attacking Iraq. Additionally, Al-Sudani has assigned three influential figures, including a political-religious leader, to hold urgent talks with certain factions, urging them to remain neutral due to the increasing risks.
While the government is working with political leaders and some faction heads, analysts remain skeptical about its ability to influence more radical groups to stop their escalations against Israel. However, they note that these factions often target Israeli interests from outside Iraq.
Many fear that these groups may also resume attacks on US bases in the country, particularly following a recent attack on Victoria Base near Baghdad Airport, where US forces are believed to be stationed.
Iraq’s Islamic Resistance announced on Wednesday that it had struck "vital areas" in Israel, signaling that the factions remain committed to escalating the conflict.
On the eve of Iran's missile strike on Israel, Sudani visited the Joint Operations Command headquarters in Baghdad, where he met with senior security officials to review the country's security situation and the military’s readiness to address any potential threats. He instructed security forces to enhance their preparedness and capabilities.
However, security experts doubt Iraq’s ability to defend against a possible Israeli airstrike, given the country's weak ground-based defense systems.
In response to Iran's attack, Iraq's Resistance Coordinating Committee threatened to target US bases and interests if the US or Israel conducts any hostile actions, stating that all American bases in Iraq and the region would be considered targets.