The Israeli military clashed with Lebanese nationals along the northern border on Friday afternoon, firing tear gas after several men hurled stones and attempted to damage Israel’s security barrier, the Israel Defense Forces said.

Live television footage aired by the Hezbollah mouthpiece Al-Mayadeen showed Lebanese Army soldiers standing near a crowd throwing stones and rushing at the border, as IDF troops launched tear gas in response.

Israel and Lebanon do not have a formal border due to territorial disputes; however, they largely abide by the United Nations-recognized Blue Line between the two countries.

Armed Lebanese soldiers, some with RPGs, were seen standing guard at the scene in the contested Mount Dov region, also known as the Shebaa Farms — claimed by Israel, Lebanon and Syria.

Other images showed members of a UN peacekeeping force separating Israeli soldiers from the Lebanese following the incident.

The Israeli military said in a statement that Lebanese suspects “tried to vandalize the [security] barrier and threw stones at the IDF forces operating in the area.”

#لبنان ???????? #استنفار الجيش اللبناني وتصويب السلاح على جنود الاحتلال في #تلال_كفر_شويا
عدة وسائل إعلام #عبرية تصف حدث توجيه الجيش........

© The Times of Israel