Prime Minister Hassan Diab Tuesday called for caution to be exercised after tensions reached boiling point on the southern border the previous day and Israeli forces reportedly exchanged fire with Hezbollah fighters.
“Israel attacked Lebanon's sovereignty once again and violated [UN Security Council] Resolution 1701 through a dangerous military escalation,” Diab told the Higher Defense council Tuesday at Baabda Palace.
“The enemy is pushing to amend the tasks of UNIFIL and the rules of engagement with us, so I call for caution in the coming days because I fear that things will slide toward the worse in light of the severe tension on our borders with occupied Palestine.”
Hezbollah in a statement Monday denied that it had engaged with Israel militarily or had attempted to infiltrate the hostile neighboring country. But a Lebanese security source said Monday that the militant group's fighters fired a guided anti-tank missile, triggering an exchange of fire. Israel responded by shelling the hills surrounding the area. Hezbollah fired at Israeli military posts in an attempt to allow its fighters to retreat, the source said, while Israeli aircraft flew over the area.
This article has been adapted from its original source.
