IDF commander warns Hizbullah deploying forces north of Litani

By ICEJ News

23 Mar 2010

IDF Chief of Staff Gabi Ashkenazi briefed the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee on Tuesday regarding the security situation along Israel's borders, as well as the Iranian threat and the recent increase in Kassam rocket fire from the Gaza Strip. Ashkenazi discussed the tense situation along Israel's northern border, saying it is currently quiet "but that could change… Hizbullah is deploying more forces north of the Litani River.” His comments come as the Jordan Times reported that some 2,000 trained and armed Fatah defectors have joined Hizbullah in Lebanon to protest what it called the PA’s “impotence, corruption and total disregard for their people’s interest.” Meantime, Ashkenazi also addressed the recent escalation of Ka ssam rocket barrages from Gaza into Israel, saying that Hamas was not directly behind the attacks but that it should be held accountable nonetheless. "The IDF retaliates against Hamas targets because we regard them as the sovereign group [in the Strip]," said Ashkenazi.

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