Global General

Israeli military uprooting trees on Lebanon border

(Agencies)
Updated: 2010-08-04 16:12

JERUSALEM - The Israeli military says it is uprooting more trees in the same area where its forces engaged in a deadly clash with Lebanese soldiers.

Israeli soldiers sit atop tanks near the border with Lebanon August 4, 2010. Israeli and Lebanese troops clashed on the two countries' border on Tuesday, raising concerns that a new round of fighting might erupt. [Agencies]

The military spokesman says the army is "continuing operations as usual" on Wednesday. The official spoke on customary condition of anonymity.

Related readings:  Israeli, Lebanese forces clash on border  Israeli army officer killed in border clash with Lebanon

Lebanese troops who claim the area is Lebanese territory fired on Israeli soldiers who uprooted a tree there on Tuesday. A fierce border battle killed a senior Israeli officer, two Lebanese soldiers and a journalist.

Israel claims the territory is Israeli. The United Nations, which drew the border, is investigating the conflicting claims.

The clash highlighted the volatility of the frontier, where Israel and Lebanese Hezbollah militants warred four years ago.