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Israeli Alert on Border with Lebanon Raises Fears of War

Concerns have been heightened over the eruption of a new war between Lebanon and Israel. (AFP file photo)
Concerns have been heightened over the eruption of a new war between Lebanon and Israel. (AFP file photo)
    Tel Aviv, Beirut - Nazir Magally and Asharq Al-Awsat
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Israeli Alert on Border with Lebanon Raises Fears of War

Concerns have been heightened over the eruption of a new war between Lebanon and Israel. (AFP file photo)
Concerns have been heightened over the eruption of a new war between Lebanon and Israel. (AFP file photo)

Concerns have been heightened over the eruption of a new war between Lebanon and Israel in wake of the Iranian threats to retaliate for the assassination of nuclear scientist Mohsen Fakhrizadeh in Tehran.

The war may have likely erupted when an infiltration attempt from Lebanon to Israel was thwarted on Saturday night.

Israeli forces caught and arrested two persons trying to infiltrate the borders into the Galilee. The two Sudanese workers were attempting to enter Israel to make a living. On Sunday, the Lebanese Army Intelligence announced that it had arrested the infiltrators, after Israeli forces sent them back into Lebanese territories.

On Saturday overnight, the Israeli army fired more than 15 flare bombs over the Al-Abbad area overlooking Houla in southern Lebanon. It also launched surveillance drones over the region. The Israeli army spokesman announced that the two suspects had been arrested and were being questioned.

Lebanon’s National News Agency (NNA) reported on Sunday that an army intelligence patrol arrested the two persons in the outskirts of the town of Mais al-Jabal in the governorate of Marjeyoun.

The operation was carried out amid an Israeli state of alert that lasted for a full 45 minutes. The residents of nearby towns were warned of the possibility of hearing the sound of light bombs and unusual movement.

The development highlighted the amount of tension following the assassination of Fakhrizadeh. The Israeli army had announced a state of alert, while the intelligence services declared a mobilization in Israeli embassies abroad, as well as Jewish institutions in various countries of the world, for fear of Iranian retaliatory attacks.

On Sunday, the chief of the Israeli army general staff, Afif Kochavi, made an inspection tour of his army forces operating in the Golan Division on the borders with Syria to assess the situation. He also spoke with commanders and soldiers about the army’s readiness for all scenarios on the borders with Syria and Lebanon, stressing that the current situation was normal, “but all developments and possibilities in the region should be followed up.”

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Diplomatic Source: Germany Not Asked to Join Lebanon-Israel Monitoring Team

The German warship participating in UNIFIL fired missiles during exercises near Crete last month (dpa file photo)
The German warship participating in UNIFIL fired missiles during exercises near Crete last month (dpa file photo)
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Diplomatic Source: Germany Not Asked to Join Lebanon-Israel Monitoring Team

The German warship participating in UNIFIL fired missiles during exercises near Crete last month (dpa file photo)
The German warship participating in UNIFIL fired missiles during exercises near Crete last month (dpa file photo)

A Western diplomatic source told Asharq Al-Awsat that Germany has not been asked to join a proposed committee to monitor the implementation of UN Resolution 1701 if a ceasefire is reached between Lebanon’s Hezbollah and Israel.

This clarification removes a potential obstacle to the US-brokered proposal, which Washington discussed with Lebanese officials after receiving their feedback.

The proposal suggests replacing the current monitoring mechanism—a military committee led by UNIFIL and involving Lebanese and Israeli army representatives—with a five-member committee including the US, France, Britain, Germany, and an Arab state.

Hezbollah opposes the inclusion of Germany and Britain.

The source confirmed that the nature of the proposed committee—whether military or civilian—has not been decided and depends on ongoing negotiations.

They also noted that Germany has no direct contact with Hezbollah, which it considers a terrorist organization.

Lebanese negotiators proposed expanding the existing tripartite committee to include the US and France, inspired by the April 1996 Understanding.

While Hezbollah objects to Britain and Germany, it appears to accept US involvement, likely due to Washington's influence over Israel and its mediating role in the talks.

Four European countries play key roles in UNIFIL operations in Lebanon. Germany leads the naval task force, Spain oversees the eastern sector, Italy manages the western sector, and France handles patrols in the operational area.

Since 2006, Germany has led UNIFIL’s Maritime Task Force, tasked with protecting Lebanon’s waters, preventing arms smuggling, and training the Lebanese Navy. It often heads the force, which includes countries like Türkiye and Greece, thanks to its expertise and resources.