BEIRUT (LEBANON) – Lebanese Prime Minister Hassan Diab on Tuesday blamed Israel for violating the country’s sovereignty with a “dangerous military escalation” along the border on Monday. He called for caution after a spike in border tensions.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said security forces foiled an attempt by Iran-supported Lebanese Shi’ite group Hezbollah to infiltrate across the border on Monday. However, the group has refuted the allegation.
On Monday, Israel fired dozens of shells which hit the disputed Shebaa Farms area.
“I call for caution in coming days because I fear the situation will deteriorate in light of heightened tensions on our border,” Diab tweeted.
He blamed Israel for trying to “change the rules of engagement.”
Israeli security forces have stepped up vigil anticipating a retaliatory Hezbollah strike for killing one of its fighters a week ago in Damascus.
Shebaa Farms, which is under Israeli control, is claimed by Lebanon. On the contrary, the UN considers it to be Syrian territory annexed by Israel in the 1967 Middle East war.
Netanyahu warned that any strikes from Lebanese soil would elicit a powerful resonse. Hezbollah, which clashed with Israel in 2006, denied that its forces tried to infiltrate across the border.
After the slaying of two Hezbollah members in Damascus last August, the outfit’s leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah had vowed to retaliate if Israel killed any of its fighters in Syria. However, Hezbollah’s deputy leader said on Sunday all-out war with Israel was unlikely.
Hezbollah fighters have been deployed in Syria as part of Iranian-backed efforts to support President Bashar al-Assad. However, Israel sees the presence of the outfit and Iran in Syria as a strategic threat and has stepped up raids on Iranian-linked targets.
(Photos syndicated via Reuters)
This story has been edited by BH staff and is published from a syndicated field
