Even shrines can become a battleground in the Middle East in a situation that is already very delicate in itself. The event occurred in Lebanon and the issue concerns an Israeli shrine that, according to the Lebanese, is yet another pretext for Israel to extend the borders towards the country of the Cedars, in an area still very sensitive to the events of recent months as a battleground between Israel and Hezbollah.
In fact, the Lebanese, via social media, complained that “Israeli civilians entered the Lebanese city of Hula to visit the tomb of one of their deceased, supported by the Israeli army”. “The tomb and the Israeli presence was and is under the protection of the Israeli army. No comment from the Lebanese state and the defenseless army”. The fear expressed by the Lebanese via social media is that Israel will also decide to create another buffer zone in this village in complete Lebanese silence.
Not only that, Lebanon complains that IDF forces continue to shoot at the border towards the outskirts of the city of Kfar Kila, and a Syrian worker was seriously injured in the head.
On March 7, after tensions rose, the Lebanese army finally issued a statement: “In the context of the continuous attacks and violations of Lebanon’s sovereignty by the Israeli enemy, elements of the enemy forces deliberately led settlers to visit an alleged religious shrine in the Abbad-Hola area in the south, which is a clear violation of Lebanese national sovereignty.”
“The entry of settlers from the Israeli entity into Lebanese territory is one of the aspects of the enemy’s persistence in violating international laws, resolutions and relevant agreements, in particular resolution 1701 and the ceasefire agreement. The army command is following up on the matter in coordination with the five-member committee that oversees the ceasefire agreement and the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL).
In recent days, Hezbollah Shiites have complained that Israelis are allowed to enter southern Lebanon to pray. After clashes and attempts at illegal entry, the IDF reached agreements with the Breslov Hasidim, according to which Hasidim who pray will be allowed to enter the tomb of Rav Ashi on the Lebanese border. The entry will take place in an orderly manner and with the approval, escort and security of IDF forces, in the tomb compound, which is located near Margaliot and the Tziporen post.
Officials from the Northern Command and Brigade 769 (the regional brigade) recently held talks with representatives of the Breslov Hasidim and reached these agreements with them, in order to prevent unauthorized attempts to enter the tomb complex, as has happened several times in recent months. The IDF has not yet responded to the details. The Lebanese state has not intervened on the merits.
Antonio Albanese e Graziella Giangiulio
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