An explosion near the Israel-Lebanon border slightly wounded at least three members of the Hezbollah terror group, a Lebanese security official said, raising tensions in the area.
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The three Hezbollah terrorists were taken to a hospital near the scene of the explosion in the village of Bustan in the southern Lebanese province of Tyre, the official said on condition of anonymity in line with regulations.
Video: Three were injured in the explosion (IDF Spokesperson's Unit)
The IDF said in a statement that several suspects approached a security fence and attempted to sabotage it, drawing efforts by soldiers to force them to retreat. It posted surveillance footage showing four people in civilian clothing approaching the border fence, and running away after an explosion. The identity of the suspects is unknown, it said.
The military later told The Associated Press that soldiers had used a stun grenade.
The incident took place hours before Hezbollah Secretary-General Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah gave a speech to commemorate the start of a monthlong war between Israel and the terror group in 2006 that ended with a draw.
Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said the army had used "nonlethal means" to deter people he called activists. "Anyone who tests us will get a response," Gallant said. "We have a lot to do, and we will know how to do what is needed at the right time."
UN peacekeeping forces along the southern Lebanese border, known as UNIFIL, said they were investigating the situation. "In the meantime, the situation is extremely severe," UNIFIL said. "We urge everyone to cease any action that may lead to escalation of any kind."
Soon after, the Israeli military said it fired warning shots at a distance near another border town after a group of people hurled rocks and firecrackers near the border barrier near the Lebanese village of Kfar Kila.
Nasrallah in his address briefly mentioned the incidents, saying that they are "under investigation" and that the group will later take the "necessary actions," without going into details.
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