Iran-backed Hezbollah is copying the incendiary tactics employed by Gaza-based terrorist groups, and is importing them to Israel's northern border, Channel 12 News reported on Sunday night.
Last Friday, Hezbollah operatives approached Israel's border with Lebanon, in broad daylight and with no interruption, and set fires in several locations. Within minutes, strong winds caused the flames to spread east towards Israeli territory, reported Channel 12.
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A plume of heavy smoke quickly hovered over the Naftali Mountains in the western Galilee, and managed to cross the border. According to Channel 12, the fire almost reached an IDF outpost and the community of Margaliot.
Israel's Fire and Rescue Services Deputy Commander Lahav Roy-Finnish said his team had received a message that a fire ignited on the Lebanese side of the border was fast approaching an Israeli community.
"Our teams that reached the location began taking steps to protect [Margaliot]," said Roy-Finnish. "Police blocked the roads to prevent the passage of vehicles."
IDF officials said they believe this might be a new arson tactic embraced by Hezbollah.
In footage published by Channel 12, the fires also detonated several land mines in the area.
According to the report, vehicles belonging to the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon, or UNIFIL, passed by and did nothing to stop the Hezbollah arsonists or to extinguish the fires.
This article was originally published by i24NEWS.
