Israel accuses Iran of building airport in south Lebanon

Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant accused Iran on Monday of setting up an airport in southern Lebanon to enable attacks against Israel.

In televised remarks to an international security conference hosted by Reichman University, Gallant showed aerial images of what he described as an airport built by Iran with a view to pursuing what he called "terrorist objectives" against Israel. He said the site could accommodate mid-sized aircraft. The location he gave was near the Lebanese village of Birket Jabbour and the city of Jezzine, some 20 km (12 miles) north of the Israeli border town of Metulla.

L'Orient Today contacted a Hezbollah spokesperson but he was not immediately available for comment. A source close to caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati did not have any information at the moment. 

Political analyst and retired Brig. Gen. Dr Amine Hoteit, who is close to Hezbollah, told L'Orient Today that "the Israeli claim about an Iranian airport in Southern Lebanon is not true." He added that there is "no need" to set up an airport just for drones. Commenting on why he thinks Hezbollah may not release a statement regarding Israel's claim issue, he said, "These news do not deserve a statement."

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Israel is troubled by arch-foe Iran's nuclear program, missile build-up and support for militants in the region. Hezbollah, fought a war with Israel in 2006 but this year several incidents have taken place along the border and angry words have been exchanged.

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What else did Israel's Defense Minister say?

A non-Israeli source with knowledge of the site said it could accommodate large drones — some of them weaponized — built off of Iranian blueprints. The source said drones launched from the site could be used for both internal and external operational activities — but added that the nature and direction of the runway suggested the former were more likely.

Hezbollah has been investing heavily in drone technology, the source said.

Gallant said there was an Iranian effort to create another dangerous front on Israel's border with Jordan, which has a peace treaty with Israel, "through Shiite militias that operate and are based in Iraq."

He did not elaborate on the scale or provide further details on how this was being accomplished.

Israel is widely believed to have its own nuclear arsenal, although it neither confirms nor denies this.

Gallant also mentioned divisions in Israeli society over planned judicial overhaul legislation which has led to mass demonstrations and some reservists saying they would refuse call-ups if the legislation passes.

"The continuation of the internal struggle is jeopardizing national resilience, The Israel Defense Forces and our ability to provide security to the State of Israel," Gallant said. 

Hezbollah denies involvement in weapons smuggling

Although Hezbollah did not officially comment on the Israeli claim of an Iranian airport in southern Lebanon, the party denied on Tuesday the "false accusations fabricated by Al-Hadath news channel about Hezbollah officials' involvement in weapons smuggling operations taking place at the Beirut airport.

On Aug. 30, Al-Hadath TV released a video in which it accused Hezbollah of controlling the Beirut Rafik Hariri International Airport. The news channel claimed that "Hezbollah transformed the airport into a center in which it smuggles weapons, militants and drugs."

"We completely deny the false accusations and fabricated scenarios created by Al-Hadath news channel … we also condemn the collusion of Lebanese parties with [Al-Hadath] that worked to promote these lies and turn them into judicial reports against Hezbollah," Hezbollah said in its statement.

Hezbollah did not mention which parties it was blaming. Hezbollah added that these political parties' actions "constitute a grave insult to the Lebanese state and security services whose units are located in the airport."