UN op unnerves northern Israeli community

Residents of the northern community of Shlomi had a rude awakening Monday morning, as a series of explosions was heard near the township, which lays just a few hundreds yards from the Israel- Lebanon border.

The IDF Spokesperson's Office said that the explosions were the result of controlled detonations performed by United Nations forces on the Lebanese side of the border; but nevertheless, many concerned parents arrived at Shlomi's schools and took their children back home.

UNIFIL forces stationed in Lebanon often launch controlled detonation missions in the area, in an attempt to clear it of weapon and ammunition residue. The UN force usually coordinates these operations with the IDF, which in turn informs the local communities.

Shlomi's Mayor Gabi Naaman told Ynet that seven or eight explosions were clearly hears throughout the community at 7am and lasted about 30 minutes.

"For the first few minute we thought it might be rockets landing in the area, especially with the explosions sounding so close, but shortly after, the IDF told us it was controlled detonations by the UN," he said.

Naaman went on to tell Ynet that many parents decided to keep the children from school, fearing Katyusha rocket attacks. "We're doing our best to calm everybody down, but waking up to a morning like this isn't' easy."

According to the IDF, UNIFIL was expected to continue its operation until noon Monday.