Israeli settlers enter south Lebanon for 'religious visit'
A group of Israeli settlers on Friday entered the al-Abbad tomb inside Lebanese territory, Lebanon’s state-run National News Agency reported.
The settlers crossed into the tomb, on the outskirts of the border town of Houla, under the cover of “a religious visit to the site organized by the Israeli occupation forces,” NNA said.
“Zionists claim that the site belongs to Rav Ashi (Rabbi Ashi),” a Babylonian Jewish rabbi who died in 427 AD, the agency added.
“Israel had announced the tour yesterday (Thursday),” NNA said.
Commenting on the violation, the Lebanese Army called the visit "a blatant breach of national Lebanese sovereignty" and "a violation of international laws, resolutions and treaties, especially Resolution 1701 and the ceasefire agreement."
The army added that it is following up on the matter with the ceasefire monitoring committee and the UNIFIL force.
A fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah has been in effect since November 27 after more than a year of hostilities including two months of all-out war during which Israel launched ground operations.
Under the deal, Lebanon's army deployed in the south alongside United Nations peacekeepers as the Israeli army was supposed to withdraw over a 60-day period that was later extended to February 18. Israel has continued to carry out strikes on Lebanese territory since the agreement took effect.
Israel has kept troops at five south Lebanon locations it deems "strategic" after the Feb. 18 deadline.
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz has said that Israeli forces would remain indefinitely in what he called a "buffer zone" in south Lebanon.
The ceasefire also requires Hezbollah to pull back north of the Litani River, about 30 kilometers (20 miles) from the border, and to dismantle any remaining military infrastructure in the south.
Source: Naharnet
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