Lebanese civilians break into Shabaa farms, hoist Lebanese flag over Bastara

Hundreds of Lebanese civilians on Sunday broke into one of the occupied farms in Shabaa district and hoisted the Lebanese flag in it.

Eye witnesses and members of the press said that hundreds of Shabaa and kafer Shouba on Sunday headed to the occupied farm of Bastara after they broke its main gate.

The crowded citizens who were headed by elected parliament member Qasem Hashem hoisted the Lebanese flag and pictures for the Lebanese President Emil Lahoud and chanted slogans condemning Israel and call for liberating the Lebanese areas which are still under the Israeli occupation.

The Israeli occupation forces summoned to the Lebanese border areas some 500 soldiers equipped by armored vehicles and Meir Kava tanks which were deployed on the hills surrounded the farm.

News reports said the Israeli occupation forces opened its machine guns fire in the air to terrify the Lebanese citizens and prevent them for advancing forward.

Meantime, UNIFIL forces arrived in the area and separated between the two sides.

The confrontation lasted for several hours after which the Israelis withdrew back towards the occupied farms while the citizens hoisted the Lebanese flags on Bastara farm and then returned back to their villages.