Lebanese Pelt Israeli Outpost With Rocks

Hundreds of Lebanese gathered along their border with Israel and rained rocks onto a vulnerable Israeli outpost Sunday, demonstrating the lingering anger and potential for violence that still exist between the two countries after Israel’s withdrawal from southern Lebanon last week.

Israeli soldiers withheld any fire at the demonstrators until it appeared some youths were trying to breach a barbed-wire fence and cross into Israel. Then a stun grenade and several volleys of shots rang out from the heavily fortified outpost.

At least two of the protesters were wounded in the foot by rubber bullets, and another man was left bleeding from his arm from a ricochet. They were the first casualties in Lebanese-Israeli fighting since Israel ended 22 years of occupation in southern Lebanon by completely pulling out Wednesday.

The rock-throwing incidents took place at the tense Fatima Gate between Kfar Kila, Lebanon, and Metulla in the northern finger of Israel.

Thousands of spectators from throughout Lebanon descended on the crossing Sunday. Throughout the day, there was not a single Lebanese soldier or police officer in sight. Only one black-clad member of one Lebanese resistance group, Amal, was at the scene, warning youths not to climb onto the border fence.

But even his efforts seemed halfhearted, and the militiaman--who did not give his name--said the rock-throwing could not be helped.

“The people are just voicing their anger and frustration,” he told a reporter, but promised, “They will not shoot guns.”

Nevertheless, the volatile scene left Israeli and U.N. officials concerned that if no steps are taken by Lebanon to introduce order, more serious incidents could occur now that the Lebanese and their former Israeli occupiers are only a few dozen yards apart. U.N. special envoy Terje Roed-Larsen was reported to have asked Lebanese President Emile Lahoud on Sunday to “stop the provocations” at the border.

Lebanon’s refusal so far to deploy its army troops up to the border in the zone vacated by Israel has left a certain anarchy in the area. The vacuum has been filled by fighters from Hezbollah and other militia groups, many of whom appear undisciplined.

The Lebanese government has taken the position that it does not want its army to be forced into becoming the de facto protector of Israel’s frontier, especially since Israel left Lebanon unilaterally and not in the framework of an overall peace treaty, as Lebanon had wanted.

After the Israelis left Lebanon on Wednesday, civilians and members of the Hezbollah and Amal militia groups were at first cautious about getting too close to the border. But since then, they have become bolder in their approaches.

Without any government controls, the Lebanese side of the border by the weekend had assumed a carnival atmosphere, with entire families, from grandparents to toddlers, strolling along the boundary just to get a glimpse of Israel and Israelis.

The lane that runs along the barbed-wire fence became a bustling promenade, complete with vendors selling corn on the cob and falafel sandwiches. Women covered in veils jostled with teenage girls in spaghetti-strap black tops, children with toy rifles and men dressed in kaffiyehs and camouflage pants. Many brandished flags of the Islamic guerrilla group Hezbollah, which spearheaded the fight against Israel. Someone even managed to mount a Hezbollah flag atop a watchtower built by the Israelis.

About a dozen yards in front of the Israeli guard post, the mood was more intense. Hundreds of young men and boys from Lebanon, and from at least one Palestinian refugee camp inside Lebanon, concentrated their energies on trying to hit with rocks one of the Israeli soldiers hunched down inside. With impunity, gangs were breaking up larger stones to use as ammunition.

“May God damn the sight of you,” yelled one woman when she caught a glimpse of an Israeli soldier.

Mohammed Hayder, a participant and a lawyer from near Nabatiyeh in Lebanon, defended the rock-throwing, though he acknowledged that it was dangerous for himself and his fellow stone-throwers.

“We’re ready to take responsibility for any casualties,” said the 25-year-old. “All those throwing stones know what they are doing is risky. They are willing to give their lives for this, until we get back the last inch of our territory.”

Lebanon has voiced territorial claim to Shabaa Farms, a small agricultural area near the Golan Heights. Israel and the U.N. dispute the claim.

Meanwhile, in the first fatality since Shiite Muslim guerrillas began pouring into southern Lebanon early last week after Israel began its withdrawal, the Lebanese government said a Muslim fighter shot and killed a 50-year-old Christian man and wounded another Christian in Rumaysh village, a former stronghold of the now-defunct Israeli-backed South Lebanon Army militia.

Police said a suspect was arrested.