Conflict Incident Report

Israeli forces fired tear gas over a barbed-wire border fence to disperse a crowd of protesters gathered on the Lebanese side to demonstrate against cameras installed in the area. The state-run National News Agency reported the incident at the small rally in the Marjayoun town of Mais al-Jabal. Israeli military said it fired the gas when protesters crossed the international border, a claim U.N. peacekeepers are investigating. UNIFIL and Lebanese Army units were stationed in the area to ensure “no violation” of the U.N. demarcated border, UNIFIL spokesperson Andrea Tenenti told the AP news agency. He added that none of the Israeli cameras violate the border and said the U.N. was in contact with both Lebanese and Israeli officials to ensure calm. The protesters alleged that Israel had installed spying devices to monitor south Lebanon agricultural lands. MP Qassem Hashem and a number of journalists were present at the rally. Several people were treated for breathing difficulties after the incident.