Netanyahu: Iran Responsible for IDF Ambush
JERUSALEM, Israel -- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu blamed Iran for Wednesday's ambush of an IDF patrol. The attack left two Israeli soldiers dead, seven wounded, and northern Israel on edge.
"Whoever is behind this attack will pay the full price," Netanyahu said. "For some time, Iran, via Hezbollah, has been trying to establish an additional terrorist front against us from the Golan Heights. We are taking strong and responsible action against this attempt."
It's the deadliest attack by Hezbollah since the Second Lebanon War in the summer of 2006, more than eight years ago.
After the attack, the IDF declared the area a closed military zone, put its forces on high alert, and responded with artillery bombardment and airstrikes. A Spanish member of the UNIFIL peacekeeping forces was killed.
Hezbollah, meanwhile, said Wednesday's ambush is enough and they're not interested in full-fledged war with Israel at this time.
The group delivered the message through UNIFIL, saying the attack avenged its losses in last week's airstrike on a convoy near the Quneitra crossing in Syria across the border from the Golan Heights.
A popular Hezbollah commander, several fighters, an Iranian general, and a number of Revolutionary Guards soldiers were killed in the strike, attributed to, but not claimed by, Israel. The attack revealed Iran's regional ambitions and efforts to safeguard its nuclear program.
"They are trying to make a front in the Golan to say to Israel if you will attack our nuclear system, so we can act through Lebanon, through Syria, through everywhere, and we have thousands of missiles with Hezbollah and Syria," al-Arabiya senior correspondent Ziad Halabi told CBN News.
Meanwhile at U.N. headquarters in New York, the Security Council convened an emergency session Wednesday evening to discuss the attack. Following the meeting, Spanish Ambassador Roman Oyarzu blamed Israel for escalating tensions that precipitated Hezbollah's attack and resulted in the death of its soldier.
Earlier this week, Hezbollah also claimed responsibility for rocket attacks on the Golan Heights and Mt. Hermon Ski Resort. IDF forces responded with artillery fire initially, but just past midnight, an Israeli airstrike targeted the launch site.
Today, the soldiers killed in the attack, Maj. Yochai Kalangel, 25, and St.-Sgt. Dor Haim Nini, 20, are being laid to rest. Kalangel leaves behind a pregnant wife and toddler. Nini told his girlfriend Wednesday morning not to worry. He'd be home later on.
Netanyahu and Israeli President Reuven Rivlin, who cut short a trip to the States, extended the nation's condolences to the families and friends and wished the injured soldiers a full recovery.
