On July 24, Hizbullah ordered an end to demonstrations along the Israeli
border, Middle East Newsline reported. The demonstrations included infiltration by Hizbullah operatives and
supporters into Israeli-controlled territory.
The Kuwaiti daily A-Siyassa reported that Amal and Hizbullah pledged to
the United Nations that the Shi'ite groups would block anti-Israeli
demonstrations. The newspaper said Hizbullah has sought to avoid a
confrontation with the Israeli military.
But A-Siyassa said Hizbullah has already coopted a portion of the
Lebanese military to fight Israel. The newspaper said a Lebanese Army
battalion, based near the Litani River, has been secretly trained and
equipped by Hizbullah.
The sources said Hizbullah has sought to raise tension along the Israeli
border in wake of the Shi'ite movement's defeat in Lebanese parliamentary
elections in June 2009. They said Hizbullah was concerned over the prospect
of a new pro-U.S. government in Beirut that could prepare to restrict
pro-Iranian elements in the country.
Both Israel and Lebanon have declared an alert over their mutual border.
The sources said Israel's military has reinforced border troops and
intensified air operations amid an assessment that Hizbullah rebuilt its
network of bunkers damaged in the 2006 war.
"At the moment, there is quiet all along the border," Israeli Chief of
Staff Lt. Gen. Gabi Ashkenazi said on July 28.
At the same time, Hizbullah has warned of a massive rocket attack on Tel
Aviv. Hizbullah secretary-general Hassan Nasrallah said Israel could launch
an offensive into Lebanon over the next eight months.
On July 28, Lebanese security sources reported Israel Air Force
operations throughout southern Lebanon. The sources said Israel Army Merkava
Mk-4 main battle tanks approached the Lebanese border.
"It [an Israeli attack] will be sometime between the end of this year
and next spring," Nasrallah said.
