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The '''Adaisseh incident''' occurred on August 3, 2010, when [[Israel Defense Forces]] attempted to cut down a tree<ref name="au"/> on the [[Israel]]i-[[Lebanon|Lebanese]] border between the Israeli community of [[Misgav Am]] and the Lebanese village of [[Adaisseh]].<ref name="xin">[http://news.xinhuanet.com/english2010/world/2010-08/04/c_13429964.htm UN says trees causing clashes with Lebanon in Israeli side], Xinhua Aug. 4 2010</ref> The Israeli soldiers came under fire by the [[Lebanese Armed Forces]], killing one Israeli officer and wounding another. An Israeli tank that was providing cover for the brush-clearing operation returned fire<ref name="au"/>, leading to the deaths of 2 Lebanese soldiers and 1 civilian journalist involved near the scene,<ref name="ynetnews.com">http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3930080,00.html</ref> while five soldiers were wounded,<ref name="jpost1">{{cite web|url=http://www.jpost.com/Israel/Article.aspx?id=183508 |title='At least four Lebanese killed in border clashes' |publisher=Jpost.com |date= |accessdate=2010-08-03}}</ref> reports also indicated one Israeli soldier was killed and another was wounded<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.almanar.com.lb/newssite/NewsDetails.aspx?id=148884&language=en |title=Al-ManarTV:: 3 Lebanese Martyred, 1 Israeli Officer Killed in Odeisseh Clashes 03/08/2010 |publisher=Almanar.com.lb |date=2010-07-25 |accessdate=2010-08-03}}</ref><ref name="bbc">{{cite web|author=Wyre Davies |url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-10851692 |title=BBC News – Israel-Lebanon border clash kills five people |publisher=Bbc.co.uk |date= |accessdate=2010-08-03}}</ref> [[UNIFIL]] stated that Israeli soldiers were inside Israeli territory when the border clashes erupted,<ref name="unifil_israelconfirmation"/> but said that while the IDF claim of having given notice was true<ref name="haaretz1">{{cite news|url=http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/lebanon-we-fired-first-at-idf-unit-near-israel-border-1.305929 |title=Lebanon: We fired first at IDF unit near Israel border |author=Barak Ravid |publisher=''[[Haaretz]]'' |date= 2010-08-04 |accessdate=2010-08-04}}</ref> they had asked for a further delay.<ref name="aljaz6"/> This was the most serious escalation on the border since the [[2006 Lebanon War]]. It was the first time in many years that a clash occurred between Israel and Lebanon, without any [[Hezbollah]] involvement.<ref name="aljaz4"/>
The '''Adaisseh incident''' occurred on August 3, 2010, when [[Israel Defense Forces]] attempted to cut down a tree<ref name="au"/> on the [[Israel]]i-[[Lebanon|Lebanese]] border between the Israeli community of [[Misgav Am]] and the Lebanese village of [[Adaisseh]].<ref name="xin">[http://news.xinhuanet.com/english2010/world/2010-08/04/c_13429964.htm UN says trees causing clashes with Lebanon in Israeli side], Xinhua Aug. 4 2010</ref> The Israeli soldiers came under fire by [[Lebanese Armed Forces|Lebanese Army]] snipers, killing one Israeli officer and critically wounding another. Israeli forces providing cover for the brush-clearing operation returned fire<ref name="au"/>, leading to the deaths of 2 Lebanese soldiers and 1 civilian journalist involved near the scene,<ref name="ynetnews.com">http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3930080,00.html</ref> while five soldiers were wounded,<ref name="jpost1">{{cite web|url=http://www.jpost.com/Israel/Article.aspx?id=183508 |title='At least four Lebanese killed in border clashes' |publisher=Jpost.com |date= |accessdate=2010-08-03}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.almanar.com.lb/newssite/NewsDetails.aspx?id=148884&language=en |title=Al-ManarTV:: 3 Lebanese Martyred, 1 Israeli Officer Killed in Odeisseh Clashes 03/08/2010 |publisher=Almanar.com.lb |date=2010-07-25 |accessdate=2010-08-03}}</ref><ref name="bbc">{{cite web|author=Wyre Davies |url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-10851692 |title=BBC News – Israel-Lebanon border clash kills five people |publisher=Bbc.co.uk |date= |accessdate=2010-08-03}}</ref> [[UNIFIL]] confirmed Israeli soldiers were inside Israeli territory when the border clashes erupted, and that the Lebanese Army had "no reason" to fire on Israeli soldiers.<ref name="unifil_israelconfirmation"/><ref name="haaretz1">{{cite news|url=http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/lebanon-we-fired-first-at-idf-unit-near-israel-border-1.305929 |title=Lebanon: We fired first at IDF unit near Israel border |author=Barak Ravid |publisher=''[[Haaretz]]'' |date= 2010-08-04 |accessdate=2010-08-04}}</ref> <ref name="aljaz6"/> This was the most serious escalation on the border since the [[2006 Lebanon War]]. It was the first time in many years that a clash occurred between Israel and Lebanon, without any [[Hezbollah]] involvement.<ref name="aljaz4"/>


== Background ==
== Background ==

Revision as of 23:51, 4 August 2010

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2010 Adaisseh incident
Part of the Israeli-Lebanese conflict

Village of Adaisseh in Lebanon, as seen from Misgav Am, Israel
DateAugust 3, 2010
Location
Israel–Lebanon border: between the Lebanese villages of Adaisseh and Kfar Kila and the Israeli Kibbutz Misgav Am
Belligerents
 Israel (Israel Defense Forces)  Lebanon (Lebanese Armed Forces)
Strength
10–15 soldiers[citation needed] supported by artillery, and attack helicopters[1] ?
Casualties and losses
1 killed
1 wounded		 2 killed
6 wounded
1 Lebanese journalist killed
1 Lebanese journalist wounded

Template:Fix bunching

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The Adaisseh incident occurred on August 3, 2010, when Israel Defense Forces attempted to cut down a tree[2] on the Israeli-Lebanese border between the Israeli community of Misgav Am and the Lebanese village of Adaisseh.[3] The Israeli soldiers came under fire by Lebanese Army snipers, killing one Israeli officer and critically wounding another. Israeli forces providing cover for the brush-clearing operation returned fire[2], leading to the deaths of 2 Lebanese soldiers and 1 civilian journalist involved near the scene,[4] while five soldiers were wounded,[5][6][7] UNIFIL confirmed Israeli soldiers were inside Israeli territory when the border clashes erupted, and that the Lebanese Army had "no reason" to fire on Israeli soldiers.[8][9] [10] This was the most serious escalation on the border since the 2006 Lebanon War. It was the first time in many years that a clash occurred between Israel and Lebanon, without any Hezbollah involvement.[11]

Background

In the weeks leading up to the incident hostile rhetoric was traded between the Lebanese (particularly Hezbollah) and Israeli sides in light of the reports suggesting the Special Tribunal for Lebanon would indict Hezbollah members. Following an impromptu visit to Lebanon by King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia and Syria's Bashar al-Assad just days before the incident, various media in Lebanon and outside said the likelihood of sparking an outbreak of violence eased.[12] Two days before the incident, however, Assad made a statement marking Syria's Army Day warning that "The spectre of real peace in the region is disappearing, and the possibility of war is increasing."[13]

Confrontation

The Blue Line covers the Lebanese-Israeli border; an extension covers the Lebanese-Golan Heights border

There were conflicting reports as to how the firefight began. The Lebanese Army claims the conflict began when an IDF patrol attempted to uproot some trees between the Lebanese villages of Adaisseh and Kfar Kila, while the Israeli Army claimed two officers had been attacked by snipers, one soldier shot in the head and the other in the chest, in a "well planned ambush" during routine maintenance operation on its side of the border. Other reports said the Israeli soldiers were attempting to plant cameras.[5][14] UNIFIL confirmed the Israeli claim that the soldiers were inside Israeli territory when the clashes erupted. [8]

An Israeli Apache AH-64D, identical to those used by Israel to attack Lebanese positions during this incident.

According to an IDF spokesperson, "the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) fired at an IDF position along the Lebanese border in northern Israel. The soldiers were in Israeli territory, carrying out routine maintenance and was pre-coordinated with UNIFIL." Only then, the spokesperson said, did Israel return fire.[15] The Israel Defense Forces have released aerial footage showing that the IDF soldiers were standing in Israeli territory when fired upon, and "did not cross the Lebanese border." United Nations representatives confirmed the photos.[16] The Israeli position was an observation post, which was fired on killing one officer and gravely wounding another soldier. A military spokeswoman said there were about two or three shots from Lebanon and that the surprise attack seemed like an ambush.[17] The Israeli military said its forces returned fire with light arms and used artillery fire. Several minutes later, an IAF helicopter fired at the Lebanese Army Forces Battalion Command Center in Al Taybeh, damaging several armored combat vehicles. Following the first response from Israel, the Israelis were asked to hold their fire so that the Lebanese could evacuate the wounded, to which Israel acquiesced until a rocket-propelled grenade was fired toward an Israeli tank about 30 minutes later.[18] After the attempt by a Lebanese RPG team to take out an Israeli tank failed, it was then shot at by Israeli soldiers, and possibly took casualties. The Israeli battalion commander that was killed was hit in the head and the fellow officer that was in critical condition was struck in the chest from a range of about 700 meters. Israeli analysts speculated that a renegade commander sympathetic to Hezbollah may have ordered the attack.[17]

According to Lebanon, Israeli soldiers crossed into Lebanon to uproot trees which blocked their view. A military spokesperson claimed Lebanese troops fired warning shots and called out to the Israeli troops to cease their actions, when Israeli troops fired on their position, forcing them to return fire, killing the Israeli commander, and that the Lebanese soldiers fired rocket-propelled grenades at an Israeli tank after IDF bombing and shelling had killed two soldiers.[19][20] A Lebanese security official said "The Israelis fired four rockets that fell near a Lebanese army position in the village of Adaisseh and the Lebanese army fired back."[11] However a spokesperson from the Lebanese army later stated that Lebanese soldiers fired first, saying to AFP "the Lebanese Army opened fire first at Israeli soldiers who entered Lebanese territory... this constituted defense of our sovereignty and is an absolute right." [21][22]

Lebanese M113 APCs, identical to those destroyed by Israel in the incident.

The IDF then directed artillery fire at Lebanese Army positions, and a pair of Israeli Air Force Apache helicopters were dispatched to strike army outposts. The Israeli Army claims that the outposts hold a "dominating position" and could have posed a threat to Israeli troops still on the ground. A Lebanese Armed Forces command center in the southern Lebanese town of Taiba was also struck. The center was heavily damaged, as were a number of LAF armored personnel carriers parked nearby.[23] Lebanese witnesses said Israel also shelled the village of Adaisseh.[11] Israeli shelling struck near a Lebanese armored personnel carrier, setting it on fire and killing two soldiers inside the vehicle.[24][25]

Allegations of planned ambush

A report released by senior Israeli officials in Jerusalem accuses the Lebanese army of taking "advantage of the fact that the IDF delayed several hours of maintenance work" near the Lebanese border, to "plan and prepare an ambush" against IDF troops. According to the report, the Israeli Army contacted UNIFIL at 6:00 on 3 August to inform them of maintenance work to commence three hours later. UNIFIL representatives responded that their forces needed extra time to prepare for the IDF presence and requested the IDF delay work until 11:00. However, UNIFIL said Israel did not give them the delay they asked for.[10] UNIFIL commanders then told the Lebanese Army of the IDF plans. At this point it was suspected by Israel that the Lebanese military used the extra time to prepare an ambush, even inviting journalists and photographers to the site to observe its aftermath.[26]

IDF officers accused the Lebanese military of briefing journalists and photographers in advance of the confrontation. Officials have questioned the large presence of journalists and broadcast trucks at the scene before the clash ensued[27]:

If this incident was not planned in advance, why did field commanders in the Lebanese army bother to dispatch journalists to the area and ensure that cameras were present at the site?

— Israeli Army spokesperson

Casualties

Initial reports indicated 3 Lebanese soldiers were killed[4], but this was later refuted with confirmation that 2 Lebanese soldiers, 1 Lebanese civilian and 1 Israeli soldier were killed.

  • Israeli reserve battalion commander Lieutenant Colonel Dov Harari was killed when a Lebanese sniper shot him in the head, and reserve company commander Captain Ezra Lakia sustained a gunshot wound to the chest.[19]
  • Two Lebanese soldiers, Sergeant Robert Elias al Ashi and Sergeant Abdullah Mohammad al Tufaili were killed when an Israeli shell hit their armored vehicle.[28][29]
  • Assaf Abou Rahhal a journalist for Lebanon's Al-Akhbar newspaper was killed when Adaisseh was shelled by Israeli artillery.[30]. Ali Shuaib, a journalist from al-Manar was moderately wounded and taken to a treatment center. Both journalists were affiliated with Hezbollah media outlets.[31]

Reactions

Israel

I see the Lebanese government as directly responsible for this violent provocation against Israel.

— Benjamin Netanyahu, Prime Minister of Israel

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that he held the Lebanese government "directly accountable for this violent provocation against Israel." He also added that "Israel responded aggressively, and will do so in the future against any attempt to violate the quiet on [our] northern border, and attack residents of the north and the soldiers who are protecting them."[2] Defense Minister Ehud Barak warned the Lebanese government against "continuing to provoke IDF forces." He added that Israel would not tolerate any attacks on soldiers or citizens "within its sovereign territory" and also called on the international community to condemn the "criminal act carried out by the Lebanese army."[32] He later added that "It was a very grave provocation and we reacted in a measured, just and immediate manner. Tuesday's incident was not programmed by the chiefs of staff of the Lebanese army in Beirut or by Hezbollah. I hope there will be no escalation, that we will have a calm summer and that things will return to normal." He also expressed concern that the United States and France had "provided sophisticated weapons to Lebanon which were used in Tuesday's incident and could fall into Hezbollah's hands."[33] The Foreign Ministry labeled the incident a "severe violation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701" and only "one of many violations of Resolution 1701, the most severe of which is the massive rearmament of Hizbullah, including the rearmament of Hizbullah units in southern Lebanon." It declared, "Israel holds the Lebanese government responsible for the grave incident, and warns of the consequences should these continue." Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman "instructed the Israeli diplomatic delegation to the United Nations to file a protest with the UN Secretary General and the Security Council."[34] Major General Gadi Eisenkot said "It was a planned ambush by a sniper unit ... this was a provocation by the Lebanese army. We view this fire was a highly grave incident. Our forces responded at once, and immediately after that we resorted to artillery and gunship fire." Israel also filed a complaint with the United Nations claiming Lebanese soldiers opened fire despite the IDF having informed UNIFIL forces in advance of its plan to cut down a tree along the border fence.[32] Former Israeli Defense minister Shaul Mofaz called the incident a "planned terror attack" and said he had "no doubt that Hizbullah was involved in the Lebanese Army's actions." Mofaz also criticized UNIFIL's involvement, stating that their "inability to prevent the Lebanese Army from firing on IDF soldiers proves their incompetence."[35]

Israeli sources also claimed UNIFIL forces said the Lebanese soldiers had no reason to open fire as the Israeli army was conducting routine activity.[36] Government officials in Israel have criticized the United States and France for supporting Lebanon's military in the wake of the border clash. The US has provided Lebanon with over 400 million in military aid, and France has supplied the military with advanced anti-tank missiles.[37]:

UN Ambassador Daniel Carmon wrote a letter of complaint to the UN that: "These attacks threaten stability, peace, and security in our region. In response to this grave incident that constitutes a blatant violation of UN Security Council resolution 1701, Israel exercised its right of self-defense, responding with the appropriate measures on LAF positions in the area. Israel holds the Government of Lebanon responsible for these attacks and all actions conducted from Lebanese territory. Israel calls upon the international community to exert its influence and to take the necessary measures with the Lebanese authorities to ensure that such provocative violations will not be repeated."[38]

Israel's security cabinet called a meeting to discuss "the consequences of the attacks for which the Lebanese government is responsible. It is evident that the Lebanese government is doubly responsible: the attack against our soldiers occurred when they were on Israeli territory and it is Lebanese soldiers who opened fire and forced us to respond."[39]

Lebanon

President Michel Suleiman vowed to "stand up to Israel's violation of Resolution 1701, whatever the price".[40] He denounced the clash including the "bombing of a Lebanese army checkpoint and attacks on Lebanese property"[41] and called for both countries to respect the Blue Line. Prime Minister Saad Hariri called the attack a "violation of Lebanese sovereignty and demands." He called for "the United Nations and the international community bear their responsibilities and pressure Israel to stop its aggression."[13] Speaker Nabih Berri called on the government to "urgently file a complaint to the Security Council over the violation of Resolution 1701."[41] Minister of Social Affairs Selim el-Sayegh of the Phalange party said "The history of the Lebanese army's actions have been defensive ... it is in no position whatsoever to conduct any attack against Israel. It wants only to defend Lebanese territory ... Israel has been doing these activities as a matter of provocation.[42]

I say honestly, that in any place where the Lebanese Army will be assaulted and there's a presence for the resistance, and it is capable, the resistance will not stand silent, or quiet or restrained.

— Hassan Nasrallah, Hezbollah's General Secretary

Hezbollah's Hassan Nasrallah declared that in the future his group would not "stand silent" in any future attacks against the LAF and that "The Israeli hand that targets the Lebanese army will be cut off. [However] I don't expect a war to happen soon...but there are reasons for worry."[43] He added that "We told our militants to hold back, not to do anything. [But] From now on, if the army is attacked in any area where the resistance [Hezbollah] has a presence or a say, we will not stand by idly."[44] He also praised the Lebanese army saying it "acted courageously and decisively. Lebanon in its entirety will not consent to attacks on its sacred soil and will fight with full courage."[45] In addition to his support for the army he said "We contacted the president and the army command and told them that the party is at their service."[46]

The Higher Defence Council chief, General Said Eid, said Lebanon stood ready to confront Israeli aggression "by all available means."[2] Deputy Secretary General Sheikh Naim Qassem said they would be ready to strike the heart of Israel in the event of a new aggression against Lebanon. "Israel must understand that any aggression on Lebanon, no matter how small, gives us the complete right to retaliate when and how we find appropriate and in line with Lebanon's political interests. Hezbollah chooses when to be patient and when to retaliate. When Israel threatens to destroy Lebanon, it knows Hezbollah is capable of making Israel suffer properly. Israel's territory will be completely exposed and they will have to bear responsibility for that aggression and pay the price."[45]

Maronite Bishops also condemned Israel's "aggression" and said they were sorry for the Lebanese army victims. Following the Council of Maronite Bishops' monthly meeting, they issued a statement describing the dead as "heroic martyrs;" they also called on all Lebanese to put their differences aside and "focus on what brings them closer together because the country's stability is based on their closeness."[47]

A spokesman for the LAF said Lebanon stands ready to retaliate in the event of any new aggression. "The answer will be the same in the event of any aggression along the border. Any aggression against Lebanon will have serious consequences." He added that the army was in contact with UNIFIL after Israeli army radio said troops planned to try again to uproot the tree in the border area. OTV reported that the LAF commander General Jean Kahwaji Odeisseh.[48]

The day after the incident Lebanese authorities also arrested a senior member of the opposition bloc's Free Patriotic Movement, Fayez Karam, on suspicion of spying for Israel.[49]

International organisations

The European Union urged restraint from both sides.[7]

The head of the United Nations peacekeeping operations Alain le Roy said that UNIFIL "established...that the trees being cut by the Israeli army are located south of the Blue Line on the Israeli side," and that the Israeli army gave notification of "several hours...by the Israeli authorities of their intention to do this operation, and immediately as procedure we informed the Lebanese side." UNIFIL then asked Israel to delay cutting down the trees in order to "facilitate an agreement between the two parties." Though the Israeli army delayed the operation by several hours, le Roy said the UN would have liked a longer delay.[10] UNIFIL Spokesman Neeraj Singh confirmed the firefight and urged both sides to use "maximum restraint." He added that "UNIFIL peacekeepers are in the area and are trying to ascertain the circumstances of the incident and any possible casualties. Our immediate priority at this time is to restore calm in the area."[13] The United Nations Security Council held a backdoor meeting, and called on all parties to practice "utmost restraint".[1] Following initial investigation of the incident, UNIFIL confirmed the Israeli claim that the soldiers were inside Israeli territory when the clashes erupted. [8]

  • Reports said UNIFIL confirmed that the IDF informed them of the intention to conduct routine maintenance.[50] According to Israeli officials who spoke to UNIFIL representatives, UNIFIL determined that Lebanese forces had no reason to fire on Israeli troops.[51] A Hungarian diplomat working for UNIFIL force in South Lebanon said he "does not believe IDF soldiers crossed the international border during the maintenance work."[52] UNIFIL military spokesman Lieutenant-Colonel Naresh Bhatt said "UNIFIL established ... that the trees being cut by the Israeli army are located south of the Blue Line on the Israeli side."[8]}} However, the next day UNIFIL issued a statement saying it is still conducting an investigation in the area.[44] Milos Struger, the political adviser to UNIFIL said Lebanese forces had been advised of the brush-clearing operation several hours in advance.[2]
  • Deputy Spokesperson Andrea Tenenti said UNIFIL had called an extraordinary meeting with senior representatives of both the Lebanese and Israeli armies at Ras Al Naqoura under the auspices of the UNIFIL Force Commander Major-General Alberto Asarta Cuevas.[48]

International states

Political reactions
  •  Iran - In a statement, the Iranian Foreign Ministry said, "The Islamic republic of Iran strongly condemns the Zionist regime's incursion in the southern regions of Lebanon which resulted in the martyrdom of a handful of children of the Lebanese army." It claimed that the "hysterical assault" by Israel raised an existing concern about a "new adventure" by Israel against Lebanon.[1]
  •  Jordan - Jordanian Prime Minister Samir Rifai emphasized Amman's support for Lebanon and rejection of any aggression against the country, but warned of the effect any future clashes could have on attempts to work towards peace in the region. The Jordanian cabinet released a statement saying that it was "deeply concerned about the dangerous escalation in Lebanese territory."[1]
  •  Egypt – Foreign Minister Ahmed Aboul Gheit condemned Israel over the incident saying it violated both Lebanon's sovereignty and the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701 that was the basis for the 2006 ceasefire.[39] Gheit urged UNIFIL to calm the situation, and prevent any further Israeli violations of Resolution 1701.[1]
  •  Syria – President Bashar al-Assad called his Lebanese counterpart to express "Syria's support for Lebanon against the heinous aggression launched by Israel on Lebanon ... this aggression proves once more that Israel has always been seeking to destabilize security and stability in Lebanon and the region."[53] al-Assad received Lebanese leaders Walid Jumblatt and Public Affairs Minister Ghazi Aridi the next day and to discuss developments in Lebanon and its serious ramifications for the region. The Lebanese MP's appreciated Syria's firm stance in support of Lebanon and its keenness on Lebanon's security.[54]
  •  United States - President Barack Obama conveyed his condolences through Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak to the family of Harari.[38] The United States said[who?] that it was "extremely concerned." State Department spokesman Phillip Crowley stated that "we deeply regret the loss of life. We urge both sides to excersise maximum restraint to avoid an escalation, and maintain the ceasefire that is now in place." He also expressed concerns that the incident might expand into "something more significant," and that U.S. officials had been trying to make sure it went no further.[1] A senior American official in Washington said that, based on what had been learned so far, the Lebanese military appeared to have been responsible for starting the gunfire.[18]
Apolitical reactions
  •  Canada - Canada warned its nationals to avoid travel to Lebanon due to a situation that "remains fragile" and because "Heightened tensions throughout the region, together with increased threats globally from terrorism, put Canadians at greater risk."[55]

Media

In addition to international reactions the global media were also quick to point out this was a dramatic shift in already heated tensions: The Guardian said this was the "most serious clashes along Israel-Lebanon border since the 2006 war;"[56] the Los Angeles Times said "The deaths are the first since the end of the 2006 Lebanon War;"[57] Sky News said this was "the most serious escalation of violence since the 2006 war;"[25] The New York Times called this "the fiercest clash in the area since Israel's month long war against the Lebanese Hezbollah militia in the summer of 2006;"[58] Reuters in Canada called it "a rare cross-border skirmish;"[59] The Sydney Morning Herald asserted prominence for the attack because "The UN Security Council has gone into closed-door consultations;"[60] Time asked "Is the Middle East on the Brink of a New Regional War?"[61] while Al Jazeera's Rula Amin said "This is a very significant development. For the first time in years, clashes are taking place between Israel and the Lebanese army, not Hezbollah."[11] Al Jazeera also suggested this was a "a turning point for the Lebanese army, which was not involved in the 2006 war between Israel and Hezbollah. But the Lebanese army's response to what it considered Israeli provocation, reasserted its role, which had been marginalised by the status accorded to Hezbollah as Lebanon's main defender." It also suggested that "the army - this time by standing up to Israel - will help to ensure the success of top level Arab mediations to preempt an internal explosion in Lebanon" expected due the leaks in the Special Tribunal for Lebanon. It continued that Lebanon's internal politics was complex as Hariri's allies, namely the Kataeb party and the Lebanese Forces, would resist a compromise over the STL even though they were not in a particularly strong position; at the same time Saudi Arabia and Syria had reemerged as the guarantors of stability in Lebanon to which Hariri would be helped. Additionally Jumblatt, who weakened the March 14 Alliance when he left, reiterated support for Hezbollah, while his political status and intimate knowledge of his former allies' open and secret understandings with the US could hurt.[46]

Al-Manar issued an editorial saying "The Israeli enemy, believed to be violating the international resolution 1701 in a daily basis, can provoke clashes with the Lebanese Army, fire rockets at Lebanese posts, cause martyrdom of Lebanese soldiers and journalists. Even more, they have the right to uproot a tree on the Lebanese side without facing any resistance. But the Lebanese have no right to defend themselves. They have no right to complain. They can't ask for an international firm stance. They must accept the status-quo and quietly mourn their martyrs. The maximum they can get from the world is 'condemnations.' And even condemnations are limited to a few countries, the friendly and brotherly countries that share with Lebanon the principles and values. As for Western countries that claim to be defenders of Lebanon's sovereignty and independence such as the United States, silence seems to be the best weapon."[39]

Aftermath

The following day, Israeli troops moved again to remove trees on the border with Lebanon without incident.[2]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f Fisk, Robert. "Robert Fisk: Israel-Lebanon tensions flare after skirmish leaves four dead." The Independent. 4 August 2010. Retrieved 4 August 2010.
  2. ^ a b c d e f Israel and Lebanon on alert after clash, JASON KOUTSOUKIS HERALD
  3. ^ UN says trees causing clashes with Lebanon in Israeli side, Xinhua Aug. 4 2010
  4. ^ a b http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3930080,00.html
  5. ^ a b "'At least four Lebanese killed in border clashes'". Jpost.com. Retrieved 2010-08-03.
  6. ^ "Al-ManarTV:: 3 Lebanese Martyred, 1 Israeli Officer Killed in Odeisseh Clashes 03/08/2010". Almanar.com.lb. 2010-07-25. Retrieved 2010-08-03.
  7. ^ a b Wyre Davies. "BBC News – Israel-Lebanon border clash kills five people". Bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 2010-08-03.
  8. ^ a b c d soldiers in Israel during clash: U.N. Reuters, retrieved August 4 2010
  9. ^ Barak Ravid (2010-08-04). "Lebanon: We fired first at IDF unit near Israel border". Haaretz. Retrieved 2010-08-04. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  10. ^ a b c >http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2010/08/20108415406224759.html
  11. ^ a b c d "Troops die in Israel-Lebanon clash – Middle East". Al Jazeera English. Retrieved 2010-08-03.
  12. ^ "Talks 'diffuse' Lebanon tensions – middleeast". Al Jazeera English. Retrieved 2010-08-03.
  13. ^ a b c "Assad: Chances of war 'increasing' – Middle East". Al Jazeera English. 2010-07-16. Retrieved 2010-08-03.
  14. ^ http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-10851692 Israel-Lebanon border clash kills five people
  15. ^ "Lebanese army opens fire at IDF force on northern border". Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs. 3 August 2010. Retrieved 3 August 2010. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= and |date= (help)
  16. ^ http://www.jpost.com/Israel/Article.aspx?ID=183536 'IDF soldiers did not cross border'
  17. ^ a b [1]
  18. ^ a b [2]
  19. ^ a b http://www.jpost.com/Israel/Article.aspx?ID=183525
  20. ^ http://www.haaretz.com/print-edition/news/lebanon-denounces-claim-it-provoked-deadly-clash-in-north-1.305852
  21. ^ http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3929928,00.html
  22. ^ http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/aug/04/lebanon-israel-tree-border-clash
  23. ^ "Lethal clash: Senior IDF commander killed in border skirmish – Israel News, Ynetnews". Ynetnews.com. 1995-06-20. Retrieved 2010-08-03.
  24. ^ By Yaakov Katz . "IDF commander killed on Lebanon border". Jpost.com. Retrieved 2010-08-03.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: extra punctuation (link)
  25. ^ a b "Sky News". News.sky.com. Retrieved 2010-08-03.
  26. ^ Report: Lebanese used delay to prepare ambush
  27. ^ http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3929941,00.html
  28. ^ http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/aug/03/lebanon-israel-border-violence-soldiers
  29. ^ http://www.yalibnan.com/2010/08/03/update-on-lebanon-israel-border-clashes/
  30. ^ http://www.dailystar.com.lb/article.asp?edition_id=1&categ_id=2&article_id=117831#axzz0vd34rrG1
  31. ^ Assad, Nasrallah Defend Lebanese Army, Tzippe Barrow, CBN News: August 04, 2010
  32. ^ a b "Barak to Lebanon: We won't tolerate provocations – Israel News, Ynetnews". Ynetnews.com. 1995-06-20. Retrieved 2010-08-03.
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  35. ^ http://www.jpost.com/Headlines/Article.aspx?id=183598 Mofaz calls Lebanon clash 'planned terror attack'
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