On Saturday, the Lebanese army fired tear gas at Israeli forces across the border. This action followed an incident where Israeli troops launched smoke bombs at Lebanese soldiers. The Israeli military claims the confrontation began with Lebanon’s actions.
Tensions have escalated along the border this summer. Rockets have been fired at Israel during clashes related to Israeli-Palestinian violence. Additionally, members of Hezbollah and their supporters have faced off with Israeli forces in the region.
The Lebanese army reported that Israeli elements violated the withdrawal line. They fired smoke bombs at a Lebanese army patrol. This patrol was accompanying a bulldozer tasked with removing an earthen berm placed by Israeli forces north of the Blue Line in the Bastra area.
The Blue Line, established by the United Nations, marks the border to which Israeli forces withdrew in 2000. In response to the attack, the Lebanese army fired tear gas to force the Israeli troops back into the occupied Palestinian territories.
Conversely, the Israeli military stated that Lebanon instigated the violence. They observed an engineering vehicle crossing the Blue Line into Israeli territory in the Mount Dov area. In response, Israeli forces employed riot dispersal methods.
UNIFIL, the UN peacekeeping force in the region, acknowledged the tensions. A spokesperson, Andrea Tenenti, confirmed that UNIFIL is in contact with both parties to de-escalate the situation. They are actively monitoring the area to restore calm.
The ongoing clashes highlight the fragile situation along the Lebanese-Israeli border. The Lebanese army continues to assert its presence in defending national territory amid rising tensions.
