The Lebanese Army moves a barbed wire that had been placed in Lebanese territory, violating the Blue Line. (Credit: Twitter/@LebarmyOfficial)
BEIRUT — The Lebanese Army announced via Twitter on Monday that it moved a barbed wire that was placed in Lebanese territory, violating the Blue Line that delineates the boundary between Lebanon and Israel.
"The Lebanese Army moved a barbed wire belonging to the Israeli enemy towards the occupied Palestinian territories after a hostile force extended the wire, violating the [Blue] Line for a length of 4 meters and a depth of 1 meter ... in Wadi Hounine," the army announced on Twitter.
The Blue Line was drawn in June 2000 by the UN after the Israeli withdrawal from Lebanon on May 25, 2000, ending the occupation that began in 1982. It signifies a "withdrawal line," as much of the border remains disputed.
On Sunday, an Israeli patrol consisting of three bulldozers, an armored personnel carrier and an infantry force advanced beyond the "technical fence" in Wadi Hounine, South Lebanon. The Lebanese Army was on high alert in the area to prevent a violation of the Blue Line.
Last Wednesday, tensions increased when Israeli bulldozers crossed the Blue Line, clearing the area near the technical fence of the Israeli settlement of Metoulla, not far from Marjayoun.
While Israeli ground violations are relatively rare, Israeli air forces violate Lebanese airspace on an almost daily basis.