One Lebanese child killed, Israeli bombardment of Shebaa farm; Sharon threatens, an Israeli alert on the Lebanese borders
Lebanon-Israel, Politics, 10/8/2003

Israel's prime minister Ariel Sharon said that Israel is ready to strike what he described as enemies everywhere and anytime and in the appropriate way whenever it sees it is necessary.

The Israeli radio yesterday quoted Sharon as saying that "Israel will spare no efforts to defend its citizens and will strike its enemies everywhere and by any means." However, he stressed Israel's readiness to maintain peace with its neighbors and that it will spare no opportunity to do that. Sharon did not mention Syria by name, nor indicated to the Israeli raid.

Sharon's statements came in a speech he had delivered on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the October liberation war anniversary of October 6th, 1973, and two days after the raid carried out by the Israeli warplanes in the depth of the Syrian territories, in retaliation to Haifa Fedayeen operation last Saturday.

Sharon's statements came while tension is prevailing south Lebanon following the sudden escalation in the region which resulted in killing one Lebanese child on Monday evening and the killing of one Israeli soldier and wounding others in an ambush on Monday evening, which the Lebanese Hizbullah enounced responsibility for.

The Israeli army announced the "state of alert" on the Lebanese borders following the attack, and the patrols were reinforced in the region and strong security instructions were given to workers in these positions, but no military reinforcement were deployed.

The Lebanese police announced the fall of four Israeli artillery shells yesterday at dawn near the Lebanese border town of Shebaa but no casualties were reported. The bombardment was preceded by light bombs and flying of Israeli helicopters. After that the UN forces in south Lebanon had patrols along the so-called "blue line" while the Israeli reconnaissance pilot-less planes flew over the area.

The Israeli bombardment was preceded by the killing of a 6-year old child and wounding of his brother as one Israeli shell dropped on their house in al-Houleh town in south Lebanon.

Meantime, an Israeli military spokesman said that several mortar shells were fired from Lebanon and fell in Israel at a position to the west of Keryat Shemona. No casualties were reported.

In a statement, the Hizbullah party denied responsibility for the fire launching incident on the Israeli- Lebanese borders on Monday. On Monday evening an Israeli military spokesman stressed that one Israeli soldier was killed near al-Metalla by Hizbullah snipers.

The commander of the northern area in Israel, Gen. Benjamin Ghanz warned in a statement to the Israeli radio both Syria and Lebanon from what he called "the grave risks" they face as they leave fighters active on their territories.

On the other hand, Israel commended the position of the US President George W. Bush who avoided criticizing the Israeli attack against Syria. Bush said that Israel should not feel restricted in defending herself against what he described as extremists. Bush's statements after the UN security council postponed voting on a Syrian draft resolution which accused Israel of violating international law after its raid against a village near Damascus.

The Israeli strike was condemned by various banned Israeli forces and parties, whereas reactions to the Israeli raid differed at the Arab and international level between condemnation and the call for self- control.

Previous Stories:
  Israel: prisoners negotiations advances with Hizbullah, Jordan   (10/3/2003)
  Hizbulah, Israel, deny suspension of negotiations   (10/2/2003)
  Hizbullah expects to complete Prisoners deal soon; Israel includes 400 detainees   (9/23/2003)

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