April 11, 2012
Report: Israeli, Lebanese naval forces cooperating
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Israeli Navy patrol boat
Israel’s navy is reportedly cooperating with its Lebanese counterpart to prevent foreign ships from approaching Israeli waters.
Israeli naval officials say their cooperation with Lebanon has increased, according to a report in Haaretz.
In advance of Land Day last month, Lebanon reportedly beefed up its naval patrols and barred ships from approaching the maritime border with Israel. Lebanon also reportedly has assisted Israel in driving away fishing boats that approach Israeli waters with the result that “significantly fewer” such ships now approach Israel’s border.
The cooperation is apparently conducted through an international body, through which Israel relays information about boats closing in on its maritime border. The information is then relayed to Lebanese forces, which drives the ship away.
Israel reportedly is expecting pro-Palestinian flotillas to approach by sea in advance of May 15, when Palestinians mark the anniversary of the Nakba, the “catastrophe” of Israel’s birth.
