Israeli violations of the Lebanese airspace horrified the capital, one settler was killed by Hizbullah
Lebanon-Israel, Military, 8/11/2003

At one a.m. at dawn yesterday, a large explosion was heard that resulted from a break in the sound barrier, carried out by Israeli warplanes over Beirut and its suburbs, and that continued its flying at low altitude creating atmospheres of fear.

Israel announced it "permitted its airforce to reply to any new attacks by Hizbullah in south lebanon."

Meantime, diplomatic contacts continued with the US and other countries for moves towards the UN Security Council which received yesterday Lebanon's complaint against the continued Israeli violations by Israel of the Lebanese sovereignty.

These developments came after Israel had raided southern Lebanese villages in the western sector, hours following the killing of one Israeli settler in Shaloumi settlement which is close to Lebanon, after he was hit by Hizbullah shelling which were fired yesterday at Israeli warplanes which violated the Lebanese airspace.

As no detailed statement was issued following the special meeting held by the mini Israeli cabinet, information quoted by the Israeli media said that there is almost a decision by the Israeli government to direct hits to presumed positions for the Hizbullah following any operation by it. This information talked about an ongoing study being conducted now to test if it is possible to decide the targets without getting dragged in a step conducive to larger escalation.

However, the Israeli military escalation which reached the level of discussing a request for the convening of a special session by the UN security council to discuss the situation, was met with statements on the need not to be involved in a comprehensive confrontation.

The UN, on the other hand, announced that its forces working in southern Lebanon, UNIFIL, started a field investigation to decide what had happened, while the UN secretary general Kofi Annan expressed concern over what is taking place and called on all sides to honor the so-called seperation blue line.

The Hizbullah anti aircraft missiles were fired at planes which violated the Lebanese airspace and also shelled Shaloumi settlement which is very close to the borders with Lebanon and this resulted in killing one Israeli and wounding other five, one of them is in a critical health condition. The Israeli side retaliated by artillery bombardment of the surrounding of Ramya border town, while the planes raised a hill situated between Teir Harfa and Alma al-Shaab town in the western sector of the border area, but no casualties were reported in the lines of the resistance.

Previous Stories:
  Lebanese resistance attack three Israeli positions in Shebaa farms; Israel raids southern Lebanese areas, using cluster bombs   (8/9/2003)
  Lebanon denounces Israeli violations of its sovereignty, stresses Larsen's report lacks realism   (7/25/2003)
  Israelis were hit by Hizbullah shelling   (7/23/2003)

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