Lebanese army confronts Israeli forces that crossed the border

The Lebanese army said it exercised “self-defence measures” on Wednesday morning after Israeli soldiers crossed into Lebanese territory near the Rosh Hanikra crossing.

According to a statement issued by the Lebanese army, 13 Israeli soldiers violated Lebanon’s sovereignty by crossing what is known as the Blue Line, the borders between Israel, Lebanon and Syria established by the UN after Israeli forces occupying Lebanon were forced to withdraw in 2000. The Israeli soldiers reportedly went about 20 metres deep into the Lebanese territories.

“Consequently, the Lebanese army units spread across the area exercised self-defence measures to confront the aggressive forces,” the statement said, adding that, “The [Israeli] forces immediately returned back to occupied Palestine.”

During a subsequent meeting with officials from the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), attended by representatives from both the Lebanese and Israeli armies, Lebanon urged Israel to stop its “provocative actions” in the area. The Israeli army has dismissed the charges, but the Lebanese army is investigating the incident in conjunction with UNIFIL.

Head of UNIFIL Major General Paolo Serra called for both sides to refrain from taking any measures that might drag the two countries into a new war. He stressed that both sides have to respect UNSC resolution number 1701, which ended the 33-day war between Hezbollah and Israel in 2006.

Tensions between Israel and Lebanon continue to remain high. Last month, Lebanese media widely reported that Israel attacked Hezbollah, targeting the border town of Kfarkela with ten mortar shells. Hezbollah vowed to retaliate in due course.