File photo: Lebanese Army Commander Gen. Joseph Aoun
Lebanese Army Commander Gen. Joseph Aoun on Tuesday called on the military to remain alert.
“The doctrine of the army is constant and remains directed towards the Israeli enemy and terrorism, which only serves Israel and its interests and goals,” Aoun said in a speech marking the 73rd Army Day.
Lebanon considers Israel an “enemy state”.
Israel last launched war on Lebanon in 2006 against Shia group Hezbollah during which at least 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and 160 Israelis, mostly troops, were killed in the conflict.
Israeli forces rounded up 17 Palestinians in overnight raids carried out across the occupied West Bank, according to the Israeli military on Tuesday.The individuals were arrested for “suspected involvement in popular terrorist activities”, the army said in a statement without elaborating on the nature of said activities.US support for Israel hurts Middle East peace prospectsTwenty Palestinians arrested in West Bank raidsThe detainees have since been remanded into custody for further investigation, the statement added.The Israeli army frequently carries out sweeping arrest campaigns across the occupied West Bank on the pretext of searching for “wanted” Palestinians.According to Palestinian figures, approximately 6,500 Palestinians are currently languishing in Israeli prisons, including scores of women and some 350 minors.
Israel arrests seventeen Palestinians in overnight raids
Aoun said the Arab region was going through many crises and conflicts.
“If Lebanon has achieved a decisive victory on terrorism, then this doesn’t mean at all that it has become safe,” he said.
“The Israeli enemy is the biggest beneficiary of terrorism in the region and has its eyes on our land and natural resources, and it will not miss a chance to attempt to fulfill its greediness,” Aoun added.
Lebanon celebrates the Army Day on August 1, when the army was founded by France in 1945.