The Israeli Army has announced in a statement on Monday that it has permitted some Lebanese agricultural workers to enter the Hebrew state territory to harvest olives, and that has been the case several times since October 10th.
“In light of the economic situation in Lebanon and as a sign of goodwill towards the Lebanese people, the army has opened the border to agricultural workers of al-Jabal, Aitaroun, and Blida,” the IDF statement said.
This is not the first time that the Hebrew state seeks to position itself as a “compassionate neighbor” of the Lebanese. This position was held as well when it offered humanitarian assistance after the devastating Beirut Blast on August 4th, 2020.
Besides irritating Hezbollah in particular and unsettling the ruling officials, since both countries are still in a state of war, these attempts by Israel are deemed by the people as a sham to gain their sympathy.
Lebanon is enduring a most severe socio-economic crisis, with the local currency losing about 90% of its value, and multiple crises wrecking the country.
The Iran-backed militia holds a powerful position in Lebanon where escalations with the Israeli army happen often, like in early August where exchanges of fire took place.
This announcement by the IDF comes right after Hezbollah‘s leader Hassan Nasrallah threatened Israel in his recent public speech.