The Lebanese Army asserted Statement that it opened Action fire on Israeli soldiers to contravene the attempt of Israelis to intrude Causation through the border of Lebanon in violation of the internationally recognized border between Israel and Lebanon .

The incident remains Presence controversial to this day ; the Whitmans are regarded Perception_active by some as pioneer heroes , while others see them as white settlers who had attempted to impose Action their religion on the Indians and otherwise intrude , even allegedly poisoning Bodily_harm them .