Al-Ghajar Village Flashpoint
http://www.defense-update.com/2005/12/al-ghajar-village-flashpoint.html
The village of al-Ghajar, where the main action took place, has become the most dangerous flashpoint along the volatile Israel-Lebanese border is one of those enigmatic political curiosities, which unfortunately occur when short-sighted decisions are made on crucial geo-political arrangements. When the IDF withdrew, in compliance with UN Resolutions 425, from its self-declared “Security Zone” in south Lebanon in May 2000 it left some severe topographical constraints, creating flashpoints for future confrontation with Hezbollah. The Shi’ite militia took over the void, pending refusal by Lebanon, under Syrian pressure, to deploy its armed forces along the international border and restore its sovereignty in south Lebanon.
Disregarding vehement Israeli objections, the UN officials decided creating the so-called ‘Blue Line’, insisting that this was a temporary measure, due to Beirut’s refusal to co-operate in designating the “real” international border, which itself was a historical farce made by the post- WW1 colonial powers.
Populated by Alawites, a strange anomaly in this mostly Shi’ite region, al-Ghajar is situated at a highly strategic location along the Israel-Lebanese border. On the banks of Hasbani river and alongside the Wassani springs, important water reservoirs for both Lebanon and Israel alike, it was captured during the 1967 war by Israel and its residents have voted for Israeli citizenship.
When the UN surveyors probed the area, they depicted al-Ghajar as “two thirds inside Lebanon and one third within the Israeli occupied Syria”, which immediately provoked angry demonstrations by the villagers. Since Israel’s withdrawal five years ago, al-Ghajar remains divided, despite the clamour of its residents.
Hezbollah has shrewdly exploited the situation, by dominating the Lebanese part, which placed its guerillas within feet of the IDF position in Israel’s part of the village- a deadly combination.
Strange isn't it that you can always trust the UN and the EU to f**k things up royally.