Israel says buried explosives discovered by UN forces in Lebanon likely planted by Hezbollah

Israel accuses Hezbollah of planting explosives

UNITED NATIONS — Israel says 300 kilograms (660 pounds) of buried explosives discovered by U.N. forces in southern Lebanon were likely planted by Hezbollah operatives.

Israel’s U.N. Ambassador Gabriela Shalev says the government believes the explosives were an advanced type, possibly produced in Iran or Syria.

In letters to Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and the Security Council late Thursday, Shalev said the explosives were another serious violation of the 2006 council resolution that ended the 34-day Israeli-Hezbollah war.

The buried explosives were discovered near Lebanon’s border with Israel by a U.N. peacekeeping patrol when they searched the area after suspicious figures fled the scene, Shalev said. She did not say how Israel was informed of the discovery.