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The construction of a road in southern Lebanon near Israeli territory led to clashes on Thursday as tension with militant group Hezbollah escalates on the border.
Lebanon’s official National News Agency reported that locals in southern Lebanon town of Kfarchouba tried to approach the Israeli border on Thursday. They also used a bulldozer to create a road in response to Israeli construction in the area. Israel fired smoke bombs at the Kfarchouba residents after they approached the border, according to the agency.
The Hezbollah-controlled news outlet Al-Manar reported that the locals started building a road to Shebaa Farms, a nearby town in the Israeli-annexed Golan Heights. The construction followed Israel erecting a cement wall in the area, according to outlet.
The Israeli Defense Forces did not immediately respond to Al-Monitor’s request for comment.
Background: Israel captured Shebaa Farms from Syria in 1967 along with the Golan Heights. The area has been a flashpoint since the 2006 war between Israel and Hezbollah. Israel, Syria and Lebanon have competing claims to the farms.
Why it matters: Tensions on the Israel-Lebanon border have been steadily increasing in the last two months. On July 12, three Hezbollah members were injured in an explosion near Boustane. The IDF reported a “sabotage” attempt at the time, and Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah vowed to respond to any attacks on Lebanon in response.
Much of the tension centers on the town of Ghajjar, which is southwest of Kfarchouba and close to Shebaa Farms. Lebanon has accused Israel of building a fence north of Ghajjar in an attempt to annex it in recent weeks.
Earlier this month, Israel shelled Lebanon in response to rockets being fired toward northern Israel. Israel also alleged in June that Hezbollah set up tents in Shebaa Farms.
Israel also fired tear gas at protesters who were throwing stones in Kfarchouba in June, The Associated Press reported at the time.
The Israeli military is becoming concerned that Hezbollah is becoming bolder and more aggressive in its attempts to infiltrate the Israeli border, Al-Monitor’s Ben Caspit wrote last week.
