Israel continues to violate Lebanese airspace; Israeli landmine wounds UNIFIL officer
Lebanon-Israel, Military, 5/14/2002

The Israeli warplanes on Monday continued its violation of the Lebanese territories and the Israeli planes continued provocative sorties over south Lebanon until reaching the airspace of several Lebanese areas.

In a statement, the Lebanese army guidance directorate said that four Israeli planes flew over al-Arqoub and the western Bekaa area until Shakka and were intercepted by the Lebanese anti - aircraft means in the area.

Lebanese security sources said that the air defense of the Lebanese national resistance intercepted the Israeli warplanes which violated the Lebanese airspace in the western and central sectors of south Lebanon.

The Lebanese army leadership said that 8 Israeli warplanes and 8 helicopters carried out intensive sorties that lasted until late hours of Monday night and extended to cover south Lebanon area during which several thermal and light bombs were thrown. The Lebanese anti-aircraft artillery intercepted the Israeli raiding planes.

On the other hand, One officer from Zimbabwe, an expert in dismantling mines, was wounded on Monday while he was working to dismantle it in South Lebanon from which Israel pulled out in May, 2000, according to the Lebanese police which did not reveal the identity of the wounded. The police added that the UNIFIL officer who is working with a United Arab Emirates UAE team for dismantling landmines has intermediate wounds in his hands as a result of the shells and he was admitted to Bint Jbeil hopsital to receive medical treatment.

Meantime, the leadership of the Lebanese army announced the elimination of the Israeli mines and shells from more than 200 square km of the territories of south Lebanon.

In a statement issued on Monday, the Lebanese army leadership said that 1775 anti personnel land mine were dismantled together with 1047 shells and missiles. The leadership reiterated its warning to citizens in the liberated areas of south Lebanon not to approach any strange body and to report about it to the nearest military center.

Previous Stories:
  Provocative sorties by Israeli warplanes over Lebanon   (5/13/2002)
  Israeli military build up in Shebaa farms   (5/10/2002)
  Lebanese resistance clash with the Israeli forces   (5/8/2002)

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