Israel begins clearing explosives in the border region with Lebanon

Follow the latest news on the conflict in the Middle East live

Follow the latest news on the conflict in the Middle East live

MADRID Dec. 22 (EUROPA PRESS) –

The Israeli Armed Forces reported this Sunday that they have launched a broad operation to clean up and recover spaces in the northern region of the country bordering Lebanon to remove any explosives that could remain in the area as a result of the crossing of projectiles between their forces. and the Hezbollah militias once a ceasefire was reached between the parties.

“The operation involves engineering teams and additional forces deployed in 40 communities in northern Israel” dedicated to “cleaning military material, waste and removing undetonated munitions.”

The statement highlights that military authorities “have been working for more than a year to create the conditions for the return of residents to their homes in a safe environment.”

Some 60,000 Israelis were evacuated from the north of the country by rocket fire from the Lebanese side of the border. Israel invaded and bombed Lebanese territory in retaliation. At the end of November both sides agreed to a ceasefire.

This Sunday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met with the Government Security Cabinet at the headquarters of the Northern Command of the Armed Forces, in Safed.

During the visit Netanyahu inspected war material confiscated from Hezbollah. He has also visited a simulated Hezbollah tunnel built like the authentic ones located on Lebanese soil.

On the other hand, the Lebanese Red Cross reported this Sunday that it has transferred seven people who have been handed over by the Israeli authorities. The seven have been transferred to the Lebanese-Italian Hospital in Tire for their respective medical examinations.

The seven “are in good condition” and have been handed over in a coordinated operation with the Lebanese Red Cross, the International Committee of the Red Cross and the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL).