In a new Israeli incursion into Lebanese territory, a group of Haredi Jews entered the Qabr al-Abbad site on the outskirts of the Lebanese border town of Houla on Friday morning under the pretext of a religious visit, according to local reports.

The visit, organized by the Israeli army, allowed the ultra-Orthodox Jews group to pray at what is claimed to be the tomb of Babylonian scholar, Rabbi Ashi, a revered figure in Jewish tradition.

For the first time, hundreds of Haredim conducted religious rituals at the site at dawn, with the Israeli military granting them access and providing security, according to Israeli media. The tomb is located on a hill along the Lebanon-Israel border.

The Israeli newspaper Maariv reported that around 900 Haredi Jews entered the site under heavy Israeli military protection, Hebrew-language i24 News reported on Thursday.

The Israeli army had previously barred religious Jews from accessing the area in February due to security concerns but later reversed the decision.

The Lebanese Army accused Israel of violating Lebanon’s sovereignty by allowing settlers to enter Lebanese territory and visit what it described as an "alleged religious site" in the Al-Abbad area near the southern town of Houla.

In a statement, the army said Israeli forces facilitated the entry of settlers in what it called a "blatant violation" of Lebanese sovereignty.

"The entry of settlers from the Israeli entity into Lebanese territory is yet another manifestation of the enemy’s persistent breach of laws, international resolutions, and relevant agreements, particularly Resolution 1701 and the ceasefire agreement," the statement read.

The military said it was following up on this issue with the Quintet Committee overseeing the ceasefire agreement and the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL).

مستوطنون يدخلون الى قبر العباد في أطراف #حولا pic.twitter.com/ofpikYUlb7

— kataeb.org (@kataeb_Ar) March 7, 2025