BEIRUT: In a provocative challenge to Lebanese sovereignty, around 250 Haredi Jews — followers of a strict branch of Orthodox Judaism — entered Lebanon to visit the Al-Ibad tomb on the outskirts of the Lebanese border village of Houla under the protection of the Israeli army, which characterized the visit as a religious pilgrimage.
Al-Ibad tomb is of religious significance to Muslims, who believe it contains the remains of Sheikh Al-Ibad, who lived as a hermit in the area around 500 years ago. Jews believe the site to be the tomb of Rabbi Rav Ashi, a Babylonian rabbi who lived in the fifth century and was the first editor of the Babylonian Talmud.
These contradictory accounts lead to recurring disputes over the identity and ownership of the site.
Al-Ibad Hill is one of five locations still occupied by the Israeli army after its withdrawal from Lebanese border villages under the ceasefire agreement. Lebanon has demanded the withdrawal of Israeli troops from the hills that overlook both the Lebanese border region and adjacent Israeli settlements.
Images and video footage showing the ultra-orthodox Jewish group performing religious rituals at the tomb were shared on social media.
The visit came on the anniversary of the birth and death of Prophet Moses in the Jewish calendar.
Media outlets had reported earlier on Thursday that the Israeli army was preparing to permit Jewish worshippers into the shrine after extremist religious groups had spent a week restoring it.
The controversial site has been treated by Israel as a Jewish shrine since 1972, at which time small groups began visiting it under the protection of the Israeli army.
The area was split into two sections following Israel’s withdrawal from southern Lebanon in 2000, after negotiations between the Israeli and Lebanese governments. Jewish visits to the shrine ceased with the outbreak of the July 2006 war.
Speaking to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on the sidelines of the extraordinary Arab summit in Cairo last Tuesday, Lebanese President Joseph Aoun raised the issue of “the presence of Israeli forces on several hills within Lebanese territory and the lack of Lebanese army deployment in these areas.”
Aoun stated that the situation “hinders the achievement of stability and the implementation of UN Resolution 1701, as well as the ceasefire agreement that took effect on Nov. 27, 2024,” and was extended until Feb. 18.
Guterres expressed surprise at the continued presence of Israeli forces in several southern areas and said it “does not contribute to stability in the region.”
Aoun discussed developments in the south of the country with Nabih Berri, speaker of the parliament, on Friday.
According to Aoun’s media office, he briefed Berri on the outcomes of his meetings on the sidelines of the Arab summit in Cairo.
Aoun also followed up on developments in the south with Defense Minister Maj. Gen. Michel Menassa, particularly regarding the deployment of the Lebanese army in southern cities and villages.
Also on Friday, Israeli forces reportedly fired on Lebanese citizens returning to border areas, wounding three civilians near the border wall in Kafr Kila.
Lebanese Army Command issued a statement condemning ongoing Israeli violations in the south. The army said that Israeli troops continue to violate Lebanon’s sovereignty by land, sea, and air.
“The most recent violation involves operations targeting citizens in the south and Bekaa, alongside the continuous occupation of Lebanese territory and repeated breaches of the land borders,” the army stated, adding that Israel’s “ongoing aggression threatens Lebanon’s stability and negatively impacts regional stability, directly violating the ceasefire agreement.”
The army also announced that it is actively facilitating the return of residents to southern areas by clearing unexploded ordnance, removing debris, and reopening roads.
It added that the situation was being closely monitored, with necessary action being taken in coordination with the committee overseeing the ceasefire agreement and the UN Interim Force in Lebanon.
