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.