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Entrance to Ghajar
Photo: Avihu Shapira

Defense establishment: Hand over northern Ghajar

Israel should hand over control over northern section of Lebanon border village to United Nations, defense establishment says; political sources estimate that move will be undertaken as part of US-led regional peace initiative

The defense establishment is recommending that Israel transfer control over the northern part of Ghajar – a village located on the Lebanon border – to the United Nations.

 

A report on the subject was handed over to Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman, who is expected to present his recommendations to the National Security Cabinet in the near future. Political officials estimate that handing over control of northern Ghajar will be part of the regional gestures aimed at advancing the US-led peace process.

 

The village of Ghajar is divided into two sections, but the IDF has maintained control over its northern part since the Second Lebanon War. In the wake of the war, military officials feared that the village, where some residents possess Israeli ID cards, will be used to facilitate Hezbollah terror activity.

 

Following President Barack Obama's election victory, the US has been eager to advance the issue. However, Israel refrained from taking a decision on the matter ahead of the recent Lebanese elections, as not to boost Hezbollah.

 

Although the area was taken from Syria in the 1967 Six-Day War, both Damascus and Beirut currently claim that the Har Dov region on the northern border belongs to Lebanon.

 

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is planning to discuss the issue in the coming weeks. The PM asked Foreign Minister Lieberman to prepare a report on the diplomatic implications of a hand over.

 

The issues currently examined by the Foreign Ministry include Israel's ability to monitor crossing points between the two parts of the village, UNIFIL's ability to prevent the entry of Hezbollah men into the area, and various legal issues involved in the matter.

 


פרסום ראשון: 08.05.09, 00:27
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