Mideast situation – UNTSO – Report on the status of the cease-fire

Further report on the status of the cease-fire in the

Israel-Lebanon sector

The Chief of Staff of UNTSO has submitted the following special report on developments in the Israel-Lebanon sector on 26 and 27 February 1976:

1. A complaint was received from the Lebanese authorities alleging that between 1830 and 1910 hours GMT on 26 February an Israel force penetrated into Lebanese territory in the village of Yarine (AMR 1723-2789), 1/ where it dynamited a house, causing the death of a Lebanese citizen and material damage.

2. At the request of the Lebanese authorities, the Chief of Staff of UNTSO authorized an inquiry, which took place on 27 February. A representative of the Senior Lebanese Delegate to the Israel-Lebanon Mixed Armistice Commission accompanied the United Nations military observers, who interviewed witnesses and examined the evidence presented to them.

3. Witnesses in Yarine stated that an Israel force of approximately 100 men had entered the village at approximately 1800 hours GMT. About 15 soldiers had entered the house of the deceased. The 7 occupants of the house, who were in bed downstairs at the time, had been ordered to get up. The deceased had been asked his name and occupation, which he gave; his hands had been tied in front of him, and he had been taken upstairs by 3 soldiers. The other 6 occupants had been taken outside the house, which was surrounded by soldiers. The witnesses further stated that they had heard shooting and a cry from upstairs and had been taken to the road, where they were held by approximately 20 soldiers for about 30 minutes. During that time they had heard a loud explosion from the direction of the house.

4.  The military observers saw in Yarine one house destroyed, one car destroyed, one donkey killed and other material damage. They also saw traces of blood on the floor of the house and a dead body in the house of a neighbour. The body had one small hole in the stomach area and a large wound in the abdomen.

5.  Based on the findings of the inquiry, the complaint is confirmed in so far as the destruction of one house, the death of one man and other material damage are concerned.

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1/ AMR – approximate map reference.