Israel Intensifies Border Patrols as UNIFIL Starts Maneuvers
The first day of military exercises by UNIFIL regiments along the Blue Line were met with heightened Israeli patrols and several violations of Lebanon”s airspace on Thursday.
The maneuvers, expected to last till March 16, were carried out by UNIFIL”s Nepalese, Indonesian, Malaysian and Indian contingents.
Coinciding with the exercises, Israel deployed a number of armored tanks to patrol the environs of settlements adjacent to the Lebanese towns of Adaisseh, Kfar Kila and al-Wazzani. In addition to the tanks, armored Hummers were seen touring the Israeli side of the border along the settlements of Mtella and Margeliot.
The UNIFIL contingents staged mock terrorist and grenade attacks on automotive patrols in addition to setting up surveillance posts.
Separately, at least four Israeli warplanes violated Lebanon”s airspace around 10 am and circled above southern towns before heading north of the country. An hour later, the aircrafts were spotted returning toward the Palestinian Territories, according to an army statement.