Politics Circles: Israel captures Hezbollah post near border

Israeli ground troops have captured a military post of the Shia militia Hezbollah during their advance into Lebanese territory, according to security circles in Lebanon. Hezbollah, which is allied with Iran, also confirmed that an Israeli flag had been raised at the post near the village of Marun al-Ras. State security circles in Lebanon reported that Israeli military vehicles had been spotted near the soldiers of the UN observer mission Unifil, who were also stationed there. There was initially no confirmation from the Israeli armed forces.

Unifil spokesperson Andrea Tenenti told the German Press Agency that the situation was worrying. The Israeli army had advanced into Lebanese territory and the armed clashes with Hezbollah were taking place very close to Unifil positions. "We are in the middle," said Tenenti. This puts the blue helmets at risk. UN Secretary-General António Guterres later said that the Israeli tanks and "other armed elements" had been withdrawn from the vicinity of the Unifil post.

Israel's Energy Minister Eli Cohen had also previously spoken of the capture of the village of Maron al-Ras by Israeli ground troops. The advances were part of a larger effort to destroy the infrastructure for launching Hezbollah rockets, the minister said.