)Lebanese army soldiers face an Israeli bulldozer crossing the technical fence in South Lebanon, July 5, 2023. Credit: Twitter/@alishoeib1970
BEIRUT — Tensions escalated on Wednesday at the border between Lebanon and Israel, where at least three violations of Lebanese territory by the Israeli army were reported in the space of a few hours, reports the official National News Agency (NNA) and several local media.
Israeli bulldozers crossed the technical fence at Mais al-Jabal, Markaba and Wadi Honein, and Israeli soldiers fired bullets into the air to scare off Lebanese civilians who tried to confront them.
So far, no serious incidents or injuries have been reported.
Early Wednesday afternoon, caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati met with Lebanese Army Commander-in-Chief Joseph Aoun to discuss the repeated violations.
"They discussed the security situation and the military institution, as well as the situation in South Lebanon in the context of Israeli aggressions," the NNA reported.
The army did not respond to L'Orient-Le Jour's request for comment.
Israeli violations have recently intensified. Hezbollah shot down an Israeli drone that violated Lebanese airspace last week, and Tel Aviv incorporated the Lebanese part of the village of Ghajar over the weekend.
Israeli fire 'to frighten' the Lebanese
"Israeli occupying forces increased tensions and violations of the Blue Line at several locations near Mais al-Jabal, Houla, Markaba and Honein, confronting both the army and the inhabitants," the NNA reported.
The Blue Line was drawn by the UN after Israel withdrew from southern Lebanon on May 25, 2000, ending an occupation that began in 1982. A large part of this border remains disputed.
On Wednesday, the Lebanese Army confronted an Israeli bulldozer that was "digging up the earth beyond the technical fence and attempting to violate the Blue Line,", continued the NNA. The agency reported that Lebanese troops prevented the bulldozer from continuing its work, "forcing it to withdraw."
Contacted by L'Orient-Le Jour, UNIFIL (United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon) confirmed that its peacekeepers had gone to the site to assess the situation.
UNIFIL spokeswoman Kandice Ardiel told L'Orient-Le Jour that peacekeepers "saw the bucket of a digger crossing the Blue Line from the south, and a Lebanese soldier crossing the line from the north."
The UN soldiers are on-site "to provide a link and coordination between the parties and help defuse tensions," Ardiel added. "We urge all parties and anyone present at the site to maintain calm. We reiterate that any work near the Blue Line is extremely sensitive. It is important that the parties coordinate all work carried out through UNIFIL to avoid friction and ensure that the sanctity of the Blue Line is fully respected."
A similar violation took place between the localities of Markaba and Wadi Honein, where Israeli bulldozers and soldiers attempted to cross the technical fence. Residents gathered and prevented them from continuing their work.
"The [Israeli] occupation soldiers then fired five bullets into the air to frighten the Lebanese, who forced the bulldozer away from the technical fence," the NNA reported.
The Israeli army also violated Lebanese territory at Houla, opposite the Manara settlement.
"Young people from Houla planted 40 cuttings where the enemy had uprooted trees," the NNA reported. An action taken "as a sign of defiance and determination, against the hostile practices of the enemy and its attempts to harm Houla and the South."
A correspondent with Hezbollah's Al-Manar channel in the region, Ali Choeib, reported the same information.
Israeli violations of the border with Lebanon are recurrent, particularly those of Lebanese airspace, which are almost daily.