Israel is illegally occupying several areas of officially recognised Lebanese territory [Getty]
Developments have emerged on Wednesday on the Lebanon-Israel front regarding arrangements for a ceasefire agreement and the release of prisoners.
Alongside these, the issue of the southern land borders and the disputed points has been revived, with Israel agreeing to hold talks on the border demarcation between the two countries, though Lebanon has said it is firmly adhering to the official maps recognised by the UN.Â
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun was informed on Tuesday that, as a result of negotiations conducted by the committee monitoring the implementation of the ceasefire agreement in the south, Lebanon received four prisoners who had been detained by Israeli forces during the recent war.
A fifth prisoner is expected to be handed over on Wednesday.
Israel announced on Tuesday that during the committee meeting it was agreed to establish three joint working groups aimed at stabilising the region.
“The [working groups] will focus on the five points controlled by Israel in southern Lebanon, discussions regarding the Blue Line and the points still under dispute, and the issue of Lebanese detainees held by Israel.”
Official Lebanese sources told Al-Araby Al-Jadeed that it was decided in the meeting to begin negotiations—not to demarcate the borders, since they are already demarcated—but to form committees to discuss the disputed points and the occupation of the hills. This is in accordance with the November agreement and as a continuation of implementing UN Resolution 1701.
History of Land Border Demarcation and Details of the 13 Disputed Points
In a detailed explanation of the key phases the border between Lebanon and Israel has gone through, Lebanese military expert Brigadier General Ali Abi Rashed told Al-Araby Al-Jadeed:
“The borders are well-known, established, and demarcated according to international agreements, the first of which was the 1923 Paulet–Newcombe Agreement. The agreement included 38 demarcation points between Lebanon and occupied Palestine, plus point 39 at the tripoint border between Lebanon, Syria, and Palestine—from Ras al-Naqoura to the Syrian area of Hamat. The agreement was deposited with the League of Nations and ratified as an international document on February 6, 1924.”
“After the Nakba of 1948, an armistice agreement was signed between Lebanon and occupied Palestine on March 23, 1949, which was ratified by the UN Security Council. Special coordinates were adopted, and it was agreed that the border would be drawn based on the Paulet–Newcombe Agreement, with additional intermediate points placed between points BP2 at Naqoura and BP38 on the Wazzani River,” he adds.
“In 1961, an agreement was made to place the 38 original markers mentioned above, adding 97 additional intermediate points called ‘B’ points and others called BP/8 points. These were used to define the borders between Lebanon and occupied Palestine,” Abi Rashed continues.
Abi Rashed points out that the total number of disputed points is 13, starting with Ras al-Naqoura at what the UN terms BP1, which is considered to be of great strategic importance. It lies just 20 to 30 meters from the town, and Israel has insisted on not giving it up due to its military significance—overlooking vast areas, particularly toward Haifa.
The second point is in Alma Shaab, which includes three sub-points, then comes Al-Bustan village, followed by the Reisha Pond, which is controlled by Israel, as well as Mhaibib, Rmeish, Marun al-Ras, Blida, Mais al-Jabal, and Adaisseh.Â
Abi Rashed highlights the major difference between the border line and the Blue Line. The former was determined by the 1923 and 1949 agreements and ratified as an international resolution registered with the UN. In addition, Israel constructed a technical fence—a barbed wire or concrete wall—parallel to the Blue Line, which cut off large areas of Lebanese land.
He notes that Lebanon estimates the Blue Line has carved out about 485,000 square meters of its territory. The amount varies by area: about 33,000 square meters in Alma Shaab, 12,500 square meters in Marun al-Ras, 490 square meters in Mhaibib, and about 18,000 square meters in Adaisseh and Kfar Kila.
He adds that blue markers were placed along the line to indicate the areas of dispute. Later, seven of the 13 points were resolved, with Israel recognising them as Lebanese territory. Discussions continue regarding the remaining six.
According to the Lebanese army, after the July 2006 war, a list of 593 points was compiled. Of these, 268 were measured and marked, and 147 were identified. The remaining 178 points are located in 13 contested areas, although Lebanon considers them unequivocally Lebanese based on the armistice agreement and the Paulet–Newcombe Agreement.
Abi Rashed highlights the complexity of some areas, such as the Shebaa Farms, which Lebanon claims sovereignty over. The UN considers them part of Syrian territory occupied by Israel in 1967. There’s also the Kfar Shouba Hills, located on the southwestern slopes of Mount Hermon at the tri-border area between Lebanon, Syria, and Israel. These hills are strategically important, overlooking the Hula Valley and Upper Galilee in occupied Palestine, as well as Jabal Amel to the south and west. Israel views them as a security threat to its military positions from Ramtha Hill to Ruwaisat al-Alam.
He also mentions Ghajar village, where the southern part is occupied by Israel and considered Israeli territory. Lebanon claims the northern part as Lebanese, supported by UN documentation.
Residents have refused to return to Lebanon, even though it is internationally recognised as Lebanese land. One proposal was to relocate the villagers, but Israel insists on holding the village. Israeli Defence Minister Benjamin Ben-Eliezer stated in 2001, “We will not allow the status quo to change,” reflecting Israel’s determination to retain its grip on all these areas.
