NICOSIA — The Israeli military is conducting an
air and ground force buildup along the border with Lebanon, according to Lebanese security sources.
Lebanese security sources said the Israel Army has deployed main battle
tanks and armored personnel carriers along the northern border with Lebanon.
The sources said Israeli troops and combat vehicles have undertaken what
was termed "unusual military activity."
"This is not an exercise," a security source said.
The sources identified the Israeli combat platforms as the Merkava Mk-4
MBT, M113 APC and Hammer vehicles. They said the armored vehicles were seen
stationed at several points along the 70-kilometer Israeli-Lebanese border,
including the Shebaa plateau.
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Lebanon's state-owned National News Agency also reported Israeli fire
along the border on June 27. The agency said the Israel Air Force sent
attack helicopters into Lebanese air space as well. Israel has not reported
such activity.
The sources said Israel also brought in bulldozers, drills and
cranes into the divided town of Ghajar in the eastern sector. They said the
deployment appeared to be in response to an Iranian construction project
near the Israeli border.
The Israeli military deployment took place as the Jewish state proposed
to advance talks with Lebanon meant to resolve border issues. Currently,
Israel and Lebanon have discussed border activity under the auspices of the
United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon.
The Lebanese Army said Israel has also been telephoning residents of
southern Lebanon and offering them money for information on the whereabouts
of missing Israeli soldiers. The army demanded that Lebanese refuse to
cooperate.
"Any attempt to cooperate in such matters is clearly dealing with the
enemy," the army said.