U.N.: Syria, Israel cooperating with probe into shooting incident on border

Al Bawaba, the Middle East Gateway ^ | January 09 2003

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Israel will turn over to the United Nations a captured Syrian and the body of another, the United Nations said Thursday. This announcement came a day after Israel said the two infiltrated the northern border and opened fire on Israeli soldiers.

One of the two was killed in an exchange of fire with Israeli soldiers and the other was captured and taken for questioning by Israel's Shin Bet security service.

A statement released by a UN force that oversees the disengagement agreement between the two states said, according to AP, the Israelis would likely turn both over to international troops later Thursday. The release said that both sides were cooperating with a UN probe into the incident.

[knighthawk]

Ping

[Mr170IQ]

UN: Israel hands over body of Syrian infiltrator

By Amos Harel, Ha'aretz Correspondent, Ha'aretz Service and Agencies

	IDF troops guarding one of the two men who tried to infiltrate the northern border Wednesday. (Photo: Yaron Kaminsky)

Israel has turned over to the United Nations the body of a Syrian shot dead during an infiltration attempt, and will soon hand over his surviving accomplice, the United Nations said Thursday, the day after the two infiltrated the northern border and opened fire on IDF soldiers.

One of the two was killed in an exchange of fire with IDF troops and the other was captured and taken for questioning by the IDF and the Shin Bet security service.

A statement by the IDF earlier confirmed that the body had been handed over and said that the prisoner would soon follow.

A statement released by a UN force that oversees the disengagement agreement between the two countries said Israel would likely turn both over to international troops later Thursday. The release said that both sides were cooperating with a UN probe into the incident.

Syria responded angrily Wednesday evening to Israel's claim that two men tried to infiltrate the northern border, accusing IDF troops of opening fire on two police officers and a civilian who had gone to draw water in the disengagement zone between the two countries.

Damascus charged Israel with a "violation of the disengagement agreement and an unjustified provocation."

IDF Chief of Staff Moshe Ya'alon said that the identity of the gunmen was unclear.

"One of our foot patrols on daytime patrol on our side of the border was fired upon," Ya'alon told reporters. "It returned fire, killing one armed man and took another armed man who surrendered."

As the soldiers were dealing with the infiltrators, Syrian soldiers opened fire on the IDF troops from across the border. The IDF division commander, Brigadier General Avi Mizrahi, later said that because the Syrian fire was ineffective, the troops did not return fire "because didn't want to make the situation worse."

It is not clear whether there was a connection between the Syrian soldiers who fired over the border and the infiltrators.

A Syrian army spokesman confirmed that a Syrian patrol fired back at the IDF soldiers, adding that an investigation is underway "to take the suitable measures." He did not elaborate.

The IDF emphasized that incident occurred inside Israeli territory in the southern Golan Heights, close to Kibbutz Metzer, after the infiltrators crossed the Rokad river, which, at this time of year, contains water.

The IDF views the incident as isolated and not as a second front on the Syrian border. United Nations observers on the border were unavailable for comment.