A Lebanese Army soldier carrying a rifle stands next to a UNFIL peacekeeper in Kfar Shuba, South Lebanon, Aug. 26, 2023. (Credit: Mohammad Yassin/L'Orient Today)
BEIRUT — Caretaker Public Works Minister Ali Hamieh Saturday launched the first phase of a road paving project promising to connect the Lebanese village of Kfar Shuba, on the border with Israel, to the hills adjacent the town, the minister announced on his X (formerly Twitter) account.
"The classification of Kfar Shuba road and its paving is the road to the beginning," Hamieh said on X, though he did not specify the beginning of what. "The Public Works Ministry is carrying out these activities in a region the enemy dreams to possess so that he forgets it forever ...We will not ask anyone’s permission to play our developmental role."
Caretaker Minister of Public Works Ali Hamieh (C) stands among local authorities in Kfar Shuba, South Lebanon, Aug. 26, 2023. (Credit: Mohammad Yassin/L'Orient Today)
On June 8, a Lebanese farmer in Kfar Shuba defended his plot of land against the incursion of an Israeli bulldozer. A video showed the Israeli earth mover going about its work, moving forward despite farmer Ismail Nasser standing before it in protest.
Members of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) can be seen standing near the farmer as he threw rocks at the Israeli bulldozer.
The next day on June 9, Israeli soldiers fired tear gas toward Lebanese protesters in Kfar Shuba during a demonstration in solidarity with Nasser.
Hamieh pointed out Saturday that "the road will be paved with the help of donations from charitable people and parties," stressing that "this road will serve the people and reinforce their heroic steadfastness in the face of the Israeli enemy."
Lebanese Army soldiers stand against their military vehicle in Kfar Shuba, South Lebanon, Aug. 26, 2023. (Credit: Mohammad Yassin/L'Orient Today)
Tensions have risen at the Lebanese-Israeli border this summer. Hezbollah set up tents near the disputed and annexed village of Ghajar. Israeli forces launched rockets toward Lebanon after mortar fire from the Lebanese side. A handful of Lebanese MPs and journalists were targeted by Israeli teargas along the border.
The UN drew the Blue Line in June 2000 after Israeli forces withdrew from Lebanon on May 25 of that year, ending an occupation that began in 1982. It signifies a "withdrawal line," as much of the border remains disputed.
UNIFIL was created in 1978 as a buffer between Lebanon and Israel, though tensions are common along the border.