Israel Defense Forces troops seized dozens of weapons in Southern Lebanon in recent days during operations against Hezbollah in the security zone, the military reported Wednesday.
The seized items included Kalashnikov rifles, rocket-propelled grenades, explosive devices, ammunition and other military equipment obtained during searches of Hezbollah terrorist infrastructure, according to the military.
In a separate incident, soldiers fired on a suspect who approached an IDF position in the Ras Bayada area "in a manner that posed a threat to them." After initial warning shots and repeated calls to stop went unheeded, troops opened fire to neutralize the threat. The suspect's condition was not immediately disclosed.
The announcement followed the IDF's confirmation last week of a "Safe Zone" Pilot program in Southern Lebanon involving Israeli troop redeployment from designated areas.
The Lebanese military has launched its first operations to assume control of villages near the Israeli security zone. "Pilot zone operations began in the villages of Froun, Srifa and Zawtar al-Gharbiya in accordance with the Trilateral Framework and under the auspices of the Military Coordination Group for Lebanon," State Department spokesman Tommy Pigott said.
The three villages are located along the Litani River at the edge of the security area established by the IDF to counter Hezbollah.