Shebaa Farms: Claimed By Israel, Lebanon and Syria
Shebaa Farms
- Context (TH): Hezbollah attacked Shebaa Farms “in solidarity” with the Palestinian people.
- The Shebaa Farms are a small strip of land at the intersection of the Lebanese-Syrian border and the Golan Heights (Israeli-occupied).
- Lebanon and Israel claim it. Currently, it is occupied by Israel.
- Lebanon believes that it is a part of Lebanon.
- Israel believes it is part of the Golan Heights, which they control.
- According to the UN, there is no evidence of the Shebaa Farms being Lebanese.
- However, the UN suggests keeping the current borders as they are until the future agreement.
Historical Background
- France ruled over Syria and Lebanon from the 1920s to 1940s.
- The French located the Shebaa Farms within Syrian territory.
- However, the residents of Shebaa Farms continued to be considered Lebanese.
- After both countries became independent, they did not demarcate the border to reflect reality.
After 1950
- In the early 1950s, Syria took control of the region surrounding the Shebaa farms.
- Lebanese of the Shebaa farms continued to have access to their land despite the Syrian presence.
- Israel captured Lebanon in the 1967 Six-Day War along with Golan Heights.
- In 1981, the Golan Heights, including the Shebaa Farms, were annexed by Israel.
- In 2000, Israel withdrew from Lebanon but not from Shebaa Farms.
- The Lebanese government and Hezbollah still consider the withdrawal incomplete until Israel withdraws from Shebaa Farms.
