ISRAEL VIOLATES TERRITORIAL INTEGRITY OF LEBANON

Beirut, 9 Rabiul Awwal 1436/31 December 2014 (MINA) – Israeli forces have once again violated the territorial integrity of Lebanon by making an incursion into the south of the country.

More than 12 Israeli troops on Tuesday crossed the Blue Line along the Lebanese border, advancing 100 meters deep into the Lebanese village of Kfar Shouba.

The Blue Line is a border demarcation between Israel and Lebanon determined by the UN, Press Tv quoted by Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA) as reporting.

Lebanese media say the soldiers searched the area and took some photos before retreating.

“A Merkava tank stood covering the operation on a hill facing the Lebanese restaurants [near the border] while soldiers took battle positions nearby,” Lebanese newspaper The Daily Star reported.

The Tuesday report added that the border violation also involved extensive flights by Israeli jets.

The Lebanese Army also deployed its forces near the border “to prepare for any possible escalation by the Israelis.”

United Nations peacekeepers stationed at the Blue Line also documented the Israeli violation.

The government in Beirut, Hezbollah, and the UN Interim Force in Lebanon, known as UNIFIL, have repeatedly condemned Israel for violating UN Resolution 1701 and the Lebanese territorial integrity.

UN Security Council Resolution 1701, which brokered a ceasefire in the war of aggression Israel launched on Lebanon in 2006, calls on Tel Aviv to respect Lebanon’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

The Lebanese government has filed several complaints to the United Nations over the violation of the country’s airspace by Israeli military aircraft. (T/P011/R03)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)