Israel has broadened a naval blockade of Lebanese ports, saying it comes in relations for Lebanon’s harassment of residents living in the southern security zone.
The blockade — imposed two weeks ago on the Lebanese port cities of Tyre, Sidon and Damur — has prevented thousands of Lebanese fisherman from plying their trade.
On Monday, Israeli gunboats fired warning shots on three Lebanese fishing boats. No injuries were reported.
The Israeli daily Ha’aretz reported that the Lebanese government recently adopted new measures regarding residents in the south of the country, the base of support for the South Lebanon Army, Israel’s ally in the region.
The report said the measures, which make it harder for residents of the south to conduct trade with the rest of the country, were an effort to introduce hardships in the area and to cause a breakdown in relations between residents of the area and the SLA and the Israeli army.
Ha’aretz quoted one source as saying the blockade was an effort to pressure the Lebanese government to take harsher measures against the Islamic fundamentalist Hezbollah movement, which has been receiving backing from Syria and Iran in its fight against Israeli and SLA forces.
Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik al-Hariri said the blockade was aimed at breaking Beirut’s ties with Damascus. He told Lebanese television that this would not happen. Beirut reportedly is considering complaining to the U.N. Security Council about the blockade.
The expansion of the blockade comes just days after Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin, speaking during a tour of the southern Lebanon security zone last week, said a peace deal with Lebanon could be reached within nine months if the government of Lebanon would be willing to enter negotiations with Israel.
The prime minister, who was accompanied during the Feb. 23 tour by eight other members of the Cabinet, also held talks with SLA commander Antonie Lahad. Rabin reiterated Israel’s commitment to the SLA.
Rabin and the Cabinet ministers were told by military sources that Hezbollah has recently stepped up its activities and that it is better trained and armed than in the past.
The sources said Hezbollah has been receiving aid from the Lebanese army, with the approval of Damascus.
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