[Watt:] Tensions are rising on the border between Israel and Lebanon. Where Israeli forces have uncovered tunnels, they say, were dug by Hezbollah. And in his most forceful rhetoric, yet, Israel's Prime Minister is calling this an act of war. CNN's Ben Wedeman reports from the Lebanese side of the border.
[Ben Wedeman, Cnn Senior International Correspondent:] The line that separates Lebanon from Israel is tense at the best of times. Ever more so, now, Israel is searching for tunnels it claims Hezbollah has dug into Israeli territory. A soldier keeps a close eye through his scope on the CNN crew on the other side of the fence known as the Blue Line. Since the Israeli operation, dubbed Northern Shield began more than two weeks ago, they've uncovered at least four tunnels. Hezbollah closely aligned with Iran has no comment. Wednesday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, declared the tunnels amount to an act of war. The rhetoric on both sides is taken on a menacing tone. Last month, Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, warned his fighters would respond if Israel strikes. "Any aggression toward Lebanon," he said. "Any raid on Lebanon, any shelling of Lebanon will definitely, definitely, definitely, be answer." Lebanon and Israel have been officially in a state of war since 1948. In the summer of 2006, Israel and Hezbollah fought for more than a month, but since then, the point is prevailed. The possibility of small incidents, however, sparking a broader conflict always looms large. We are right on the border between Israel and Lebanon. And just to give you an idea how close everyone is to one another, this is a Lebanese Army position. Over there under the camouflage are Israeli troops. And right there are U.N. peacekeepers. Hezbollah's forces are nowhere to be seen. Many of them simply local residents who joined the group. On this hilltop, we met two young men who said they had come to enjoy the view. This man who identified himself simply as Abu Wahab, told me, "God gives strength to the army and the resistance, we are with them." The U.N. Interim Force in Lebanon or UNIFIL is tasked with implementing U.N. Security Council Resolution 1701, which brought an end to the 2006 hostilities, but also stipulated that armed groups, meaning Hezbollah should disarm. But in Lebanon's complicated political landscape, Hezbollah has managed to keep and build up its arsenal and send its fighters to bolster the Syrian army in its war against the rebels. Israel, worry Hezbollah is growing ever stronger almost daily sends its warplanes into Lebanese airspace. The Lebanese government has responded to the tunnel report, saying the Lebanese army has been instructed to take all necessary measures to implement Resolution 1701, and maintain calm on the border. UNIFIL spokesman, Andrea Tenenti, stresses the importance of continued calm despite violations by both sides.
[Andrea Tenenti, Spokesman, United Nations Interim Force In Lebanon:] Yes, there been violations from both sides of 1701. What's important to emphasize, that's there have been a violation but it will bring the stability in the South of Lebanon.
[Wedeman:] Stability, yes. But one wrong step and it could blow. Ben Wedeman, CNN, South Lebanon.
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