New Watchtowers on Border Between Israel and Lebanon

Israelis living on the northern border with Lebanon say the Lebanese Army has built a series of new watchtowers over the past month that allow them to see into Israeli military bases, the border fence, patrol road and civilian enclaves, according to Ynet News. The watchtowers are currently being manned by soldiers from the Lebanese Army, but residents fear that in a conflict with Israel, Hizbullah could take over the watchtowers. Residents say the towers have gone up almost overnight and from one place, Kibbutz Admit, there are three towers within sight. An Israeli military spokesman said the army is following the developments and there has been no change in the security situation. According to a United Nations resolution, the areas where the watchtowers were built is supposed to be a demilitarized area, meaning that the towers should not have any weapons in there. Israel says that Hizbullah, with which Israel fought a cross-border war in 2006, has 100,000 rockets that can reach all parts of Israel. At the same time, Israel’s assessment is that Hizbullah is not interested in a war with Israel at the current time. After the recent assassination of a Hizbullah leader, the group made clear that they did not believe Israel is responsible. The Shi’ite militant group has been fighting in Lebanon alongside Syrian President Bashar al-Assad against rebel groups such as the al-Nusra Front and Islamic State.