Hezbollah calm worries Israel

JERUSALEM, Nov. 10 (UPI) -- Israeli military officials said the period of inactivity for Hezbollah fighters along the northern border with Lebanon is a misleading calm.

Israel and Hezbollah fought a 34-day military campaign in 2006. U.N. Security Council Resolution 1701, which helped broker a cease-fire, calls on Hezbollah to disarm while reminding Israel of its obligation to respect Lebanese sovereignty.

Border tensions escalated during the summer. Israel complains Hezbollah is rearming along the border while Lebanon points to repeated Israeli air incursions, including the use of surveillance drones.

Israeli military officials worry Hezbollah has stockpiled thousands of rockets, some with the capability of reaching Jerusalem or Tel Aviv.

Hezbollah commanders, meanwhile, say they have more weapons than they did during the 2006 conflict as the resistance movement plans for what it sees as an imminent attack by Israel.

Despite lingering tensions, the border between Lebanon and Israel has been relatively calm. Israeli military Chief of Staff Gabi Ashkenazi, however, says the calm is troubling, Israeli newspaper Haaretz reports.

"While it is calm at the moment, the borders are quiet in the north and the south, it is a misleading calm," he said. "Beyond the fences the terror groups are gaining strength."

His comments come as Lebanese officials investigate Israeli claims that a cargo ship seized recently was carrying Iranian weapons to Hezbollah. Hezbollah, Iran and Syria deny the charges.