Israeli tanks cross over Lebanese 'Blue Line' border fence 'for first time since 2006 war'

Israeli tanks crossed a technical fence that seperates Lebanon from Israel on Tuesday, the first such breach of the "Blue Line" since a UN-backed ceasefire was adopted after the 2006 war, a report said.

At least two Israeli Merkava tanks were spotted south of Lebanon's town of Adaisseh, where Lebanese Army soldiers engaged in a stand-off with the Israeli troops, Lebanese media outlet The Daily Star reported.

According to TDS, the tanks - which were carrying out military exercises - were not considered to have crossed into Lebanese territorry, but a demarcated no-mans-land between the two countries. 

"No shots are fired and no injuries are reported," Times of Israel wrote in a report.

A 33-day summer war in 2006, between Israel and Lebanon's Hezbollah, killed more than 1,200 Lebanese, mostly civilians.

Over 160 Israelis - the majority soldiers - were also killed.

A ceasefire agreement was reached and a UN peacekeeping force (UNIFIL) was deployed along the demarcated 'Blue Line' between the countries.

Footage reviewed by the local outlet showed a contingent of UNIFIL troops between the Israeli tanks and Lebanese Army.

Last year, UNIFIL said Lebanon breached the ceasefire resolution after a tunnel was discovered crossing the border.

The comments came after Israel accused Hezbollah of having dug what it described as the deepest, "longest and most detailed" tunnel it had discovered.

Read also: Lebanon extends mandate of UN force along Israel border

The UN force has not yet issued a public statement on the alleged Israeli breach.

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