Netanyahu overstated anti-tunnel operation on Lebanese border, says Israeli opposition chief

Israeli opposition leader Tzipi Livni has criticized Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for overdramatizing a recent operation by the Israeli military to block what it claims are tunnels the Hezbollah resistance movement has dug from Lebanon into the occupied territories “for political gain.”

Livni told the Kan public broadcaster that while she and the rest of the opposition welcomed the army’s operation to find and destroy the alleged tunnels, it “must be kept in proportion.”

“We are not now in a situation where our soldiers are behind enemy lines. We are talking about engineering activity …,” she said, accusing Netanyahu of “blowing the incident out of proportion.”

On Tuesday, the Israeli military announced an operation against what it said were Hezbollah infiltration tunnels.

Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri said on Wednesday that the Israeli regime had failed to provide any evidence for alleged tunnels dug from Lebanon into the occupied territories by Hezbollah fighters.

“The Israelis did not present any information” at the meeting with the Lebanese army and UNIFIL [United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon] peacekeeping force, a statement from Berri's office said.

Berri further noted that Lebanon had asked for geographic coordinates but received none.

“This (Israeli accusation) is not based on any real facts at all,” Ali Bazzi, a lawmaker from Berri's Amal Movement, cited him as saying after a meeting.

Lebanon's Foreign Ministry is going to submit a complaint to the United Nations about “repeated Israeli violations,” according to a report published by Lebanon’s official National News Agency (NNA).

Meanwhile, Russia has called on Israel to uphold UN Security Council Resolution 1701 in the wake of its recent military activities near the border with Lebanon.

Speaking at a press briefing on Wednesday, Russia's Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said Moscow hoped that no actions would be in conflict with the resolution, which ended the 2006 Israeli aggression against Lebanon and called on the Israeli regime to respect Lebanon’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

The Lebanese military has stated that it is prepared for any developments on the border with Israel, making efforts together with UNIFIL to maintain stability in the area.

“Everything is calm and peaceful on the Lebanese side [of the border]. The situation is under full control. The army units deployed in the area are fulfilling their tasks in coordination with UNIFIL in order to prevent any provocation and maintain stability in the southern region. The army was ready for any emergency situations,” the military announced in a statement.

The Lebanese army added that it remained in contact both with Israel and Hezbollah to help de-escalate tensions and prevent any confrontation.

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