Lebanon Slams Israeli Barrier as UNIFIL Calls It a Violation of Truce Deal

Lebanon: President Joseph Aoun on Saturday asked the foreign minister to begin the process of filing a formal complaint against Israel. It is alleged that the Israeli army has crossed the demarcation line and erected a wall in the Lebanese territory. The President's Office has also directed that the complaint include the latest statement issued by UNIFIL, as it is confirming the construction.

What did UNIFIL say about the wall?

In its statement released on Friday, UNIFIL said that Israel has erected a structure southwest of Yaroun village, which has crossed the designated border line and entered Lebanese soil. According to the investigation, due to this wall, about 4,000 square metersof ​​Lebanon have become inaccessible to the local people. According to UNIFIL, this move violates both Lebanon's sovereignty and territorial integrity.

How big of a violation is this of a UN resolution?

The investigating agency shared the report with the Israeli Army and appealed to remove the wall. According to UNIFIL, this construction goes against the terms under which the US-brokered ceasefire came into force in November last year. This ceasefire was decided to stop the 14-month-long Israel-Hezbollah conflict. The construction of the wall is being considered a direct violation of both the spirit and rules of these agreements.

How is Israel responding to this allegation?

The Israeli military says the wall is part of a security project starting in 2022 that aims to strengthen physical barriers along the northern border. They claim that the wall does not cross the Blue Line, the undefined border between Lebanon and Israel. Israel says that this construction is being done under regional security needs and not with the intention of occupying anyone's land.

Can this dispute increase tension again?

Experts believe that this issue will further increase the already existing tension between the two countries. After the Gaza war started in 2023, rocket fire from Lebanon and retaliatory action from Israel had already made the situation tough. By the end of 2024 the conflict turned into open war. Now this new dispute over the wall can once again intensify diplomatic tension, and the relations between the two countries may become more sour in the coming days.