Lebanon Files Complaint with U.N. over Israeli Troops’ Incursion into Wazzani

Lebanon filed a complaint with the United Nations Security Council on Wednesday over Israeli troops’ incursion into the Wazzani area in southern Lebanon on Monday.

The Foreign Ministry deemed the incident “a clear violation of Lebanon’s sovereignty, U.N. Security Council resolution 1701, and international law.”

It also described it as a threat to civil and international peace.

On Monday, Israeli troops entered 15 meters deep into Lebanese territory at the Wazzani River.

A clash between the troops and Lebanese army ensued.

For its part, Israel also filed a complaint with the U.N. about an alleged series of cross-border shootings from Lebanon which it said threatened to destabilize the region.

In a letter to U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, Israeli ambassador to Ron Prosor said Lebanon violated its ceasefire with Israel when one of its soldiers opened fire on Israeli troops in the Wazzani area early Monday.

An Israeli ten-member patrol entered 30 meters deep into Lebanese territories near the southern town of Mais al-Jabal 24 hours after a shooting incident between the two sides, pan-Arab daily al-Hayat reported Wednesday.

The newspaper said that the patrol crossed the technical fence and entered the area around 1:30 pm Tuesday. It stayed there for around half an hour after searching olive groves.

However, the troops did not cross the U.N.-drawn Blue Line, it said.

The Lebanese army said Monday that a soldier opened fire on the Israeli patrol after it crossed into a disputed area.