Farmer Ismail Nasser steps in front of an Israeli bulldozer in Kafr Shuba, South Lebanon, to defend his plot of land. (Credit: Twitter @alishoeib1970)
BEIRUT — A Lebanese farmer in Kafr Shuba defended his plot of land against the an Israeli bulldozer's incursion Wednesday, an act captured in a video posted on social media later that day.
The video shows the Israeli earth mover going about its work, moving forward despite Ismail Nasser who stood before it in protest.
Members of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) were seen standing near the farmer. Nasser an also be seen occasionally throwing rocks toward the bulldozer.
UNIFIL was created in 1978 to monitor the demarcation line between Lebanon and Israel.
Many in Lebanon took to social media to share the video and express support to the Lebanese farmer.
A Twitter user posted a picture of Nasser facing down the Israeli bulldozer alongside an archive picture showing a man throwing a rock at an armored vehicle.
"Generations change, as well as the ground under heroes' feet, but the enemy remains the same," she wrote using hashtags supporting the "Resistance" to Israel.
UNIFIL spokesman Andrea Tenenti told L'Orient Today that "UNIFIL peacekeepers are on the ground and have been on the ground from the very beginning to ensure that cessation of hostilities is maintained and helping in decreasing tension."
"We urge the parties to utilize our coordination mechanisms effectively to prevent misunderstandings, violations, and contribute to the preservation of stability in the area," he continued. "UNIFIL Head of Mission and Force Commander Major General Lázaro is in contact with the parties, actively seeking solutions. We call upon both sides to exercise restraint and avoid actions along the Blue Line that may escalate tensions."
It was not clear whether the incident happened beyond the Blue Line, a UN delineated border between southern Lebanon and Israel.
Meanwhile, Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri spoke with farmer Nasser over the phone Wednesday, saluting his "heroic and courageous stand in defense of his land and the soil of his homeland in the face of the Israeli occupation, which continues its aggressiveness in the Shebaa Farms and hills of Kafr Shuba," the state-run National News Agency reported.
"People who possess such a solid will must be victorious," Berri added, "and the occupation will end."
The union of municipalities in the region of Arkoub, South Lebanon, where Kafr Shuba is situated, called on residents in the area to join a protest, scheduled tomorrow after Friday's noontime prayer, to show solidarity and express their objection over what happened with Nasser, L'Orient Today's correspondent in the South reported.
Tensions are frequent along the Israeli-Lebanese border.
Earlier this month, the Lebanese Army was on "maximum alert" on the country's southern border after tensions rose after an Israeli patrol attempted to dismantle a tent for Lebanese army troops stationed along the Israeli-Lebanese border near Bastra-Shebaa Farms.
On March 5, the Lebanese Army was on alert at Lebanon's southern border after tensions rose after an Israeli patrol breached the Blue Line.
On March 21, an Israeli military vehicle triggered a landmine along the Lebanese border near Aita Shaab in South Lebanon.
Additional reporting by Muntasser Abdallah