Israel withdraws warning of incursion from Lebanon, cites ‘human error’

Israeli authorities have withdrawn a warning issued earlier in the day after reports of a possible incursion from neighboring Lebanon.

Just before noon EST, Israeli authorities urged some residents to take shelter after a report of a “hostile aircraft” entering the country’s north.

“This is a matter of human error, there is no such instruction,” the Israel Defense Force (IDF) wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter, later on Wednesday. 

Israel’s Air Force also acknowledged that the initial reports of a Lebanese incursion has been ruled out.  

“Further to the reports of infiltration from the Lebanese border into Israel’s airspace, as of this moment fear of infiltration has been ruled out,” the air force wrote in an X post. 

IDF has previously relayed a report “regarding a suspected infiltration from Lebanon into Israeli airspace.”

Hezbollah, a militant group in Lebanon claimed to have killed and wounded Israeli troops after firing anti-tank missiles at an Israeli military position. 

Israel confirmed Hezbollah’s attack and said it responded by shelling the area where the attack was launched. The Israeli military didn’t comment on possible causalities.

President Biden on Tuesday warned outside actors to stay out of the conflict, amid fears that groups like Hezbollah or its Iranian backers may try take advantage of the situation.

Israeli government officials on Wednesday announced the formation of an emergency unity government in the wake of the Hamas attack against the country. 

The new government will also lead to the establishment of a security cabinet, that will consist of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, senior opposition party leader Benny Gantz, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, and opposition party member Gadi Eizenkot. 

Israeli Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer will serve as an observer in the war cabinet, while a spot will be open for opposition leader Yair Lapid to join the cabinet. 

The agreement also states that no law should be passed in the country’s legislature throughout the duration of the war. 

It has been five days since Hamas, a militant group that is the de facto authority in Gaza, launched its deadly attack against Israel on Saturday, which resulted in the deaths of more than 1,000 Israelis.

More than 150 soldiers and civilians are being held hostage by the militant group, according to Israeli officials. 

Israeli armed forces have launched a counteroffensive against the group, with Netanyahu saying that his country’s forces will exact a “huge price” against Hamas for the attack. 

In a televised address Tuesday, Biden publicly condemned the terrorist attacks, confirming Americans are among the many people being held hostage by the militant group, and that 20 Americans remain unaccounted for in the country.

Updated: 3:32 p.m.