UN searches for landmines in Lebanon
Photo: AP
Cluster bomblets
Photo: AFP
Apparent landmine kills Lebanese soldier
Three additional soldiers wounded in incident, Lebanon declines Israeli offer of aid
A Lebanese soldier was killed and three additional soldiers were wounded on Thursday afternoon after apparently driving over a landmine or unexploded ordinance along the western sector of the Israeli- Lebanese border. The IDF offered to provide immediate medical treatment to the wounded soldiers via the military liaison division but the offer was declined by Lebanon. The wounded soldiers were then evacuated to a hospital in Sidon.
Clearing Southern Lebanon
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Several weeks ago the UN reported that Israel had planted new landmines in southern Lebanon during the last war, the first time since IDF forces withdrew in 2000. The UN Mine Action Coordination Center in south Lebanon reported their estimation following the injury of two European disposal experts and a Lebanese medic who were dismantling mines near the border.
The explosion took place in a field located three km from the Israeli-Lebanese border, the two experts – David Alderson of Britain and Damir Paradzik of Bosnia – entered a field after a wandering flock of sheep triggered what they thought was cluster munitions. They triggered the landmine as they entered the field, both men lost a leg.
The UN determined that the explosion was caused by Israeli anti-personnel landmine placed during the fighting in July and August of this year in south Lebanon.
The IDF said it wasn't convinced the mine was recently laid or used by Israel, saying it could have placed by Hezbollah or another party (such as Syria) during the decades of conflict in Lebanon. The army would not comment on whether or not mines were indeed laid down during the last war.
The reports of new landmines have been added to the international criticism against Israel following 'disproportionate use' – according to human rights groups - of cluster bombs during the war.
UN experts say up to one million cluster bombs dropped by Israel during the war remain unexploded in south Lebanon. At least 24 people have died in cluster bomb explosions since the war ended Aug. 14, the UN considers the bombs as a substantial threat.
The Associated Press contributed to this report
