In recent days, Israel has unilaterally attempted to build a fence around the northern part of Ghajar, a Lebanese village that it has occupied since 2006. Lebanese security forces revealed to Al-Monitor that Israel had previously erected a barbed-wired fence around the northern Lebanese part of the village, to prevent — according to their claims — armed men from infiltrating the southern part of the village located in the occupied Syrian Golan Heights. Israel, however, is now intent on replacing this barb-wire fence with a five meter high fence.
Yesterday, Lebanese army leaders contacted UNIFIL leadership, which operates within the Litani line in southern Lebanon (the area specified according to UN Resolution 1701), requesting that the latter issue a complaint to Tel Aviv. Israel's move to build a fence is a violation of international law, which stipulates that the occupation authorities not make any changes to the features of the area they occupy.
There is an explanation for this move that has circulated among UNIFIL leaders in Naqoura, saying that the Israeli step could mean that Tel Aviv has decided to open the road adjacent to the northern Lebanese part of Ghajar, known as SDA, which is located within Lebanese territory. Israel had shut down the road following the 2006 war in order to protect sites within the village. Lebanon has previously requested — via UNIFIL — that Israel reopen this road, given that it serves as a vital means of transport for Lebanese living in the area. It is thought that Israel is erecting this fence around Ghajar to isolate its residents from the neighboring road, as a prelude to responding to the demand that it be opened to Lebanese traffic.
It is worth noting that residents of Ghajar — who are of Syrian origin, including Muslims and Alawites — have received Israeli citizenship at their own request. Israel occupied the village during the 1967 war with Syria, and after Israel withdrew from Lebanon in 2000, the United Nations delineated the Blue Line to serve as the border between Lebanon and Israel.
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