Israel violates Lebanon airspace

ISRAELI warplanes violated Lebanese airspace yesterday, triggering retaliatory anti-aircraft fire that Israeli sources said sent shrapnel over the border into Israel.

The jets broke the sound barrier near the southern coastal town of Naqura, where UN peacekeepers have their headquarters just a few kilometres from the frontier, according to Lebanese police.

The warplanes had entered Lebanese airspace further east where they drew four bursts of machinegun fire, the police said, declining to specify whether it came from the Lebanese army or the Shi’ite militia Hezbollah.

Military sources in Israel said it was Hezbollah and that shrapnel from the anti- aircraft fire fell in the border area of Shomra, around 20 kilometres from the coast.

A Hezbollah spokesman declined to comment.

Last week, UN representative Staffan de Mistura condemned Israel for its repeated violations of Lebanese airspace and warned continued overflights could stoke tension in the region.

Citing “security reasons”, the Israeli authorities yesterday closed the Rafah crossing between the Gaza Strip and Egypt to southbound travellers, Egyptian border guards said.

Last month, the Israeli- controlled crossing was closed to travellers in both directions for an entire week in a bloody Israeli army incursion into the Palestinian side of the divided border town.

Meanwhile, France’s foreign minister Michel Barnier said the EU was prepared to back Israel’s anticipated withdrawal from the Gaza Strip under certain conditions.

Mr Barnier, who will spend two days in Egypt as part of a Middle East tour, is expected to meet Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Maher, Egypt’s delegate on the Middle East Omar Suleiman, and Arab League chief Amr Mussa.

Israel’s intention to evacuate Gaza and some West Bank settlements, “must be taken into consideration,” he said.

“The EU notes this commitment. It is prepared to offer support under certain conditions,” he said.

Mr Barnier said the withdrawal may be an important step to implementing the EU-backed roadmap peace plan as long as it moves towards a two-state solution and does not transfer settlers to the West Bank. Responsibilities must also be transferred to the Palestinian Authority and Israel should “facilitate the rehabilitation and reconstruction of Gaza,” Mr Barnier said.