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The United Nations Interim Peacekeeping Force (UNIFIL) patrols the Kafr Shuba area, to ensure security in the town of Kafr Shuba, Nabatieh, Lebanon, on August 28, 2023. Photo/Houssam Shbaro/Anadolu Agency
TEL AVIV – Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, on Tuesday (29/8/2023), urged the United Nations to intervene to stop tensions along the border with Lebanon.
This news was revealed by an Anadolu Agency report. In a letter sent to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, Yoav Gallant said, “The potential for increased violence on Israel’s northern borders is increasing because of what he described as “flagrant violations” by Hezbollah, according to a report by Israeli channel i24NEWS.
He also accused the Lebanese group of stoking tensions through its provocations, including setting up tents in what he called “Israeli territory”.
Gallant called for immediate UN intervention to defuse the rising tensions “by strengthening UNIFIL’s authority in the region.” UNIFIL is the UN Interim Force in Lebanon.
“Israel will not tolerate increased threats to the security of its citizens, and will act as necessary in their defense,” he said.
There was no comment from the Lebanese authorities or Hezbollah on the letter.
The Israel-Lebanon border has seen tensions in recent months amid accusations of trespassing and crossing the border.
In June, Hezbollah set up tents in the Shebaa Farms and Kfar Shouba hills near the border.
Lebanon insists that the Shebaa Farm area, which has been under Israeli occupation since 1967, is Lebanese territory.
In 2006, Israel and Hezbollah fought a 34-day war in which more than 1,200 Lebanese, mostly civilians, died.
As many as 160 Israelis, mostly soldiers, were killed in the same conflict.
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