The UN peacekeeping force on the Lebanon-Israel border said on Monday its commander is in contact with officials in both countries over tensions regarding two tents set up by the Hezbollah terrorist organization in Israeli territory, The Associated Press reported. Israeli media reported on Sunday that Hezbollah evacuated one of the two tents but there has been no confirmation from the group. The head of the UN peacekeeping force known as UNIFIL, Maj. Gen. Aroldo Lázaro, “continues to be in direct contact with authorities on both sides of the Blue Line to resolve the situation of the tents,” UNIFIL said in a statement sent to AP . The borderline demarcated after Israel’s withdrawal from southern Lebanon in 2000 is known as the blue line. “We are looking into reports that a tent has been moved north of the Blue Line,” UNIFIL stated, adding that any unauthorized presence or activity “near the Blue Line is a concern, and has the potential to increase tension and misunderstandings.” On Sunday, Channel 12 reported that Israel’s defense establishment had passed a message to Hezbollah’s leaders, stating, "We will remove the tents, even at the risk of a confrontation." Israel's message came one day after a Lebanese MP from Hezbollah, Mohammad Ra'ad, refused the UN's request to remove the tents which were erected on Israeli territory, stating, "If the enemy doesn't want war, then it is better that it remains silent." The Hezbollah military outposts that were illegally set up on sovereign Israeli territory were placed about 30 meters inside Israeli territory , and generators were placed there to allow Hezbollah terrorists to stay in the compound. Related articles: UNIFIL must leave Lebanon if it cannot restructure Lebanon detains more than 25 after UN convoy attack Hezbollah supporters target UN convoy 'Ensure UNIFIL enforces ceasefire this time' Footage from the outposts showed an armed Hezbollah terrorist wearing protective gear. According to a diplomatic source, members of Hezbollah's elite unit, Radwan Force, were in the compound at least part of the time. The IDF initially contacted the UNIFIL peacekeeping force after the tents were placed in Israeli territory, but the UN peacekeepers did not arrive in the area. Only after diplomatic pressure, including from Israel's Ambassador to the UN, Gilad Erdan, did UNIFIL inspectors arrive in the area and verified that the tents were indeed inside the sovereign territory of the State of Israel.
