Around 250 Haredi Jews entered Lebanon protected by the Israeli army for a religious visit to the Al-Ibad tomb, sparking tensions regarding Lebanese sovereignty. The visit coincided with significant Jewish commemorations and has reignited disputes over the site’s ownership. Additionally, ongoing Israeli military presence and actions near the Lebanese border continue to cause instability in the region.
Recently, approximately 250 Haredi Jews, followers of a strict Orthodox Judaism branch, entered Lebanese territory to visit the Al-Ibad tomb under Israeli army protection. This event poses a challenge to Lebanese sovereignty, with Israel describing the visit as a religious pilgrimage. The tomb holds significance for both Muslims, who regard it as the burial site of Sheikh Al-Ibad from 500 years ago, and Jews, who identify it as the tomb of Rabbi Rav Ashi, a fifth-century Babylonian rabbi. This overlapping belief system often results in disputes regarding the ownership of the site.
The Al-Ibad Hill remains one of five locations occupied by the Israeli army since its withdrawal from Lebanese border regions via a ceasefire agreement. Lebanon demands the complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from the hills surrounding its border and adjacent Israeli settlements. Videos of the Haredi group performing religious rituals at the tomb circulated on social media, coinciding with the anniversary of Prophet Moses’s birth and death in the Jewish calendar.
Earlier media reports indicated that the Israeli army was preparing to allow Jewish worshippers to visit the shrine, following restoration efforts by extremist religious groups. Since 1972, the site has been considered a Jewish shrine by Israel, attracting small groups for visits under military protection. Following Israel’s withdrawal from southern Lebanon in 2000, the area was divided into two sections, and visits ceased during the conflict of July 2006.
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun raised concerns with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres regarding Israeli forces’ persistent presence on Lebanese hills. Aoun emphasized that this situation hampers stability and implementation of UN Resolution 1701, which seeks to maintain peace. Guterres expressed astonishment at the ongoing Israeli military presence, which he believes undermines regional stability.
On Friday, additional tensions arose as Israeli forces fired upon Lebanese citizens returning to border areas, injuring three individuals near Kafr Kila. The Lebanese Army condemned these ongoing violations, stating that Israeli actions breach Lebanon’s sovereignty by land, sea, and air. The army called these assaults detrimental to Lebanon’s stability and in direct violation of the ceasefire agreement. Additionally, the Lebanese Army is facilitating the return of residents to southern areas by clearing unexploded ordnance and reopening roads while coordinating with the committee overseeing the ceasefire and the UN Interim Force in Lebanon.
The Haredi Jews’ pilgrimage to the Al-Ibad tomb in Lebanon, under Israeli military protection, highlights ongoing territorial disputes and tensions between Lebanon and Israel. The area’s religious significance for both Muslims and Jews exacerbates territorial claims, contributing to Lebanon’s call for the withdrawal of Israeli forces. The incidents involving Israeli fire on Lebanese citizens further escalate the situation, threatening regional stability and the implementation of ceasefire agreements.
Original Source: www.arabnews.com
