An IDF investigation into four Israelis' entry into Bint Jbail during the ongoing conflict is set to be presented to Northern Command Chief Maj.-Gen. Rafi Milo.
The IDF is set to present findings on Tuesday from an investigation into how four Israelis were allowed to enter the active combat zone of Bint Jbail in southern Lebanon without the proper authorization, military officials said.
The incident in question took place last week when Givati Brigade commanders acted without approval and broke protocol by letting four Israelis who lost relatives in Bint Jbail during the 2006 Second Lebanon War to enter the city, despite it being an active warzone, where Hezbollah terrorists continue to operate, according to the cited investigation, which was ordered by IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Eyal Zamir.
Preliminary findings indicate that one of the Israelis is an active-duty IDF soldier, while the other three are currently on reserve duty. However, none of the four are serving in southern Lebanon, the investigation found.
"An active-duty soldier and three active reservists were brought into southern Lebanon for non-operational purposes," the IDF Spokesperson's Unit said.
"Their entry was made without the approval of the authorities, and the incident is under investigation," the military added.
Official military source confirms incident details
An official military source confirmed the details of the incident, saying that "the event did indeed occur, and an investigation is currently underway on the matter."
No other cases of civilians being brought into southern Lebanon combat zones during Operation Roaring Lion are known, authorities noted.