Beirut: During a Saturday visit to the border of Shebaa Farms, a disputed area of land near the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, Israeli troops fired smoke and tear gas grenades at the group, resulting in a Lebanese MP and several journalists receiving minor burns.
The MP Qassem Hashem-led media delegation approached Israeli soldiers from a few meters away before the soldiers took up combat positions and warned the group against getting any closer.
Following the assault, the Lebanese army was placed on high alert, and UN peacekeeping patrols sprang into action to restore order.
"We were standing on Lebanese land, but Israeli forces — being naturally aggressive — did not spare anyone and used all kinds of intimidation bombs to push us back," Hashem later told Arab News.
Despite being struck in the hand and leg, I only have minor burns and wounds.
"This land is ours and you are aggressors," the MP reportedly yelled at the Israeli soldiers. This is a right we have, and we won't give it up.
He claimed the purpose of the media delegation's trip was to serve as a reminder to Israel that "this is our land and it is not susceptible to annexation."
According to the MP, the visit had nothing to do with the UNIFIL forces' mandate being renewed next month.
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Shebaa Farms native Hashem claimed that his family inherited land in the region that was recorded in the Lebanese land registry in 1943, before Israel was created.
This right is unassailable.
He continued by saying that Lebanon considers the region to be part of its territory and that neither Shebaa Farms nor the region to the north of the town of GHajjar are marked by the Blue Line or the withdrawal line.
On these productive and fertile lands, Israel built winter resorts, he said.
Between Lebanon, Palestine, and Syria, the Shebaa Farms, Kfarchuba Hills, and Golan Heights form a strategic triangle.
The Israeli army fired tear gas in retaliation after dozens of people crossed the southern Blue Line near Bustra early on Saturday, according to Candice Ardell, deputy director of the UNIFIL Public Information Office.
Lebanese, Israeli, and UNIFIL peacekeepers were all present at the scene, and according to her, things were now calm.
She claimed that UNIFIL's force commander and chief of mission, Gen. Aroldo Lazaro, had discussions with officials on both sides of the Blue Line.
According to Ardell, a number of incidents have heightened tensions recently.
These incidents did not get worse, she said, "thanks to the commitment of the parties on both sides of the Blue Line."
"We urge everyone to maintain their current level of restraint in the hours and days ahead."
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By the end of August, the UN Security Council is anticipated to extend the UNIFIL forces' mandate in southern Lebanon for another year.
According to a statement released by the Lebanese Foreign Ministry on Saturday, the foreign minister "did not request any amendment to UNIFIL's mission in the upcoming resolution regarding the freedom of movement of these forces."
