"Israeli" moves prompt another standoff at border

Source: Daily Star, 26-2-2007
SOUTH LEBANON: An "Israeli" bulldozer attempted on Sunday to open a canal on the border that was closed weeks ago by the Lebanese Army, prompted fears of a clash and putting Lebanese and "Israeli" forces in a state of high alert, the National News Agency (NNA) reported.
According to the NNA, an "Israeli" bulldozer accompanied by three Humvees moved from the "Israeli" town of Metulla toward a canal near the Adaisseh-Kfar Kila road in the Lebanese town of Marjayoun.
The canal had been blocked by the Lebanese Army 20 days ago in order to prevent water that had accumulated in "Israeli" fields from draining into agricultural lands in Kfar Kila and Adaisseh, the NNA said.
"Israeli" soldiers deployed in the area while the bulldozer was used to try to open the water canal. The soldiers pointed their weapons at a group of Lebanese soldiers who converged on the site, according to the NNA.
In response, the Lebanese Army mobilized its forces.
After 45 minutes of high alert, the "Israeli" soldiers and bulldozer withdrew and Spanish troops with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) moved into the area, monitoring the "Israeli" moves.
The Lebanese patrol then left the area.
When contacted by The Daily Star, UNIFIL spokesperson Liam McDowell said UNIFIL was unaware of such an incident and had no information regarding the issue.
The incident was the fourth such standoff reported between the two armies in a month.
The armies squared off for almost 25 minutes on Friday across a barbed-wire fence on the border. On Wednesday, low-altitude "Israeli" overflights in the South drew anti-aircraft fire from the Lebanese Army.
Two weeks ago, the two sides exchanged fire near Maroun al-Ras at the border after "Israeli" troops reportedly crossed into Lebanese territory.
In a related development, an "Israeli" drone violated Southern Lebanese airspace on Saturday morning, according to a statement from the Lebanese Army Command.