Israel’s new wall to stall Hezbollah
The obstacle relates to Hezbollah’s public threats since 2011, to infiltrate into Israel and to attack Israeli communities south of the UN’s blue line —
Rosh Haniqra, Israel, Sept. 6: High in the hills above the Mediterranean, Israeli troops worked while soldiers from a country still technically at war with them peered down from metres above.
The odd spectacle played out this week as Israel continued work on a new concrete wall along its northern border with Lebanon. A few Lebanese soldiers watched from a tower just on the other side.
Israel has spent years building barriers to keep out Palestinians from the occupied West Bank and Gaza Strip as well as African migrants crossing from Egypt.
Earlier this year, new construction began along the Lebanese border, where Israel is building a wall equipped with cameras in the hope of thwarting any attempt by its enemy Hezbollah to infiltrate and attack.
It follows up on earlier construction in 2012 of a wall around the Israeli town of Metula next to the Lebanese border.
Israel says all portions
TOMER GILAD, Israeli Major
of the wall will be on its side of the so- called blue line — the UN- established ceasefire line put in place after its withdrawal from southern Lebanon in 2000.
But Lebanon says some sections will cut into its territory and earlier this year pledged a diplomatic push to prevent construction.
Lebanon’s plans to explore for oil and gas offshore in waters eyed by both sides have added to the controversy.
Israeli military officials told journalists during a tour of the work near the Mediterranean coast on Wednesday that the wall, replacing a fence, was being built for defensive purposes.