Israel to pull out of Lebanon border village

Ghajar, Golan Heights: Israel on Wednesday approved the withdrawal of troops from the northern half of a village that straddles the border with Lebanon — a step that would end its four-year presence in the volatile area.

The pullout, expected to take place in the coming weeks, would resolve a key dispute between the neighbouring countries that has simmered since Israel reoccupied northern Ghajar during the war with Lebanese Hezbollah in 2006.

In a statement, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said the Security Cabinet, a decision-making group of senior government ministers, had approved the pullout "in principle."

It said Israeli diplomats would work with the UN peacekeeping force that patrols the southern Lebanese border region to make final arrangements. Netanyahu presented the plan last week to UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon in New York.

Strategic location

Ghajar is a village of 2,200 people that lies in a strategic corner where the boundaries of Syria, Israel and Lebanon are in dispute. More than 1,500 residents live in the northern half.

Its residents are members of the Alawite sect, whose followers include many members of Syria's ruling elite. Most of the villagers say they want the village to remain united, regardless of who controls it. Virtually all residents have taken Israeli citizenship, further complicating the village's future.

Najeeb Khateeb, a village spokesman, accused Israel of ignoring the wishes of the local residents.

"How can they come today and divide a small village like this? We hope that this decision won't be carried out," he said.

Israeli Foreign Ministry spokesman Yigal Palmor said Israel has "no intention" of dividing the village, and said residents would continue to have free movement throughout Ghajar and in and out of Israel, as they do now.