Tension rises on Israeli-Lebanese border

SHEBAA, Lebanon - Tension has clearly risen on the Lebanese-Israeli border, security sources told Xinhua Wednesday.

The sources, who asked to remain anonymous, said the Israeli army had intensified its patrols and observation mission all along the border, while Hezbollah is on high alert and has also raised its readiness.

The rise of tension came amid a war of words between the Israeli army commanders and the militant party officials.

Vice-Chairman of the executive council of Hezbollah Sheikh Nabil Qaook conveyed a very clear threat message on Tuesday in a speech on the occasion of "Jerusalem Day" the party held in the Kfarchouba town, saying that the missiles of Hezbollah are capable of reaching all the cities and settlements in Israel.

"Hezbollah will stand firmly in supporting Iran in case Israel decided to attack it as Iran is the side that supplies the resistance in Lebanon and Palestine with weapons," Qaook said.

In response, Israeli media quoted a high ranking officer of the Israeli army, advising Hezbollah "not to test the Israeli army's force as it has developed and the hit this time will be very painful".