The international community has long viewed illegal Israeli settlements as a violation of international law and a hindrance to Palestinian statehood.

Now the Israeli army has acknowledged that a settler group entered southern Lebanon earlier this month, Israeli media are reporting, after initially suggesting they had set up camp near the border.

The Times of Israel reported citing the military, “The civilians did indeed cross the Blue Line by several metres, and after being identified by [Israeli] troops, they were dispersed.”

It added that entering Lebanese territory harms the military’s ability to “operate in the area and fulfil its mission”.

Israel’s Army Radio quoted the military as saying, “This is a serious incident that is being investigated.”