UN mission diffuses tension between Lebanese, Israeli soldiers

The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) on Tuesday diffused a standoff between Lebanese army soldiers and Israeli troops who reportedly crossed the border demarcation line between the two countries. “Tension increased. Our troops were in the middle with the aim of preventing misunderstandings and decreasing tension,” UNIFIL spokesperson Andrea Tenenti said. “Shortly after the situation went back to normal.” The incident took place between the southern Lebanese village of Adaisseh and the northern Israeli town of Metulla. Lebanese media reported that Israeli army personnel carrying construction equipment crossed into Lebanon while working on a concrete wall on the Israeli side of the border. UNIFIL and its 10,500 troops deployed on the ground oversee a cease-fire with Israel in southern Lebanon.