| Arnoun أرنون |
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|---|---|
| — City — | |
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Arnoun
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| Coordinates: | |
| Country | Lebanon |
| Governorate | Nabatieh Governorate |
| District | Nabatieh District |
| Elevation | 550 m (1,804 ft) |
| Time zone | EET (UTC+2) |
| • Summer (DST) | EEST (UTC+3) |
| Postal code | |
| Dialing code | +961 |
Arnoun (Arabic: ارنون, Hebrew: ארנון) is a majority Shia village 7 kilometres (4.3 mi) south-east of Nabatiyeh, in Nabatiyeh Governorate, southern Lebanon. The village is located approximately 8 kilometres (5.0 mi) from the Israeli border. The village is approximately 550 metres (1,800 feet) above sea level[1], and approximately one kilometre (0.62 miles) from the Beaufort Castle.
The noted academic and commentator Fouad Ajami was born in Arnoun[2].
Arnoun is linked to the nearby Beaufort Castle. The town's name is derived from the Aramaic arnoun, meaning "little top", referring to the highland where the Beaufort Castle stands[1]. The castle itself was referred to as Qal'at Shqif Arnoun (Aramaic: the castle of the high rock on the hill), from which the town took its name.
After the establishment of the Israeli Security Zone in southern Lebanon in 1985, Arnoun lay just outside its boundaries, although, from its position at the Beaufort Castle, the Israel Defense Force (IDF) effectively controlled the village.
On February 17, 1999[3], after attacks on IDF forces were launched from Arnoun, the village was formally incorporated into the Security Zone.
On February 26, 1999, thousands of peaceful Lebanese protesters cut through the recently erected barbed wire, effectively freeing the village.
The IDF left Arnoun in May 24th 2000, when it evacuated the Security Zone.