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World Jewish News
Lebanon boosts forces near Israel border, fearing IDF fire
21.07.2009
The Lebanese Army has increased its presence in the Kafr Shuba and Shaba Farms area in South Lebanon, warning residents not to approach the border for fear that Israeli forces will fire upon them.
Local media reported that Israel had stepped up its military readiness levels in the region and deployed tanks and armored personnel carriers to the area.
Israeli military sources told Haaretz that they are disturbed by recent events in Lebanon, especially the infiltration by Shi'ite demonstrators of the border at Har Dov on Friday. They said that despite these developments there are no indications that Hezbollah is interested in a confrontation with Israel. The sources say the Shi'ite Muslim organization is currently focused on the formation of the new Lebanese government and its role within it, and is not looking for military conflict.
The Israel Defense Forces is nevertheless prepared for additional attempts by demonstrators to cross into Israel next week. Last week's demonstration was apparently organized by a group associated with the Shi'ite Amal movement.
According to Lebanon's Al Safir newspaper, the Lebanese Army submitted a protest to UNIFIL Force Commander Major General Claudio Graziano, whereby it claimed that the recent incident in which a warehouse containing Hezbollah rockets in the village of Khirbet Salim exploded was the result of a decision by soldiers to raid a nearby home without coordinating their actions with the Lebanese Army.
By Jack Khoury and Amos Harel
Источник: Haaretz
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