Israel kills 28 Lebanese civilians; bombs civilian airport
Lebanon-Israel, Military, 7/13/2006

Hizbullah today launched a barrage of Katyusha rockets at Safed in apparent response to the Israeli attacks on Lebanese territories.

Israel said more than 90 Katyusha rockets have struck northern Israel since yesterday morning, and that than 90 Israeli civilians have been injured.

Israel said the rockets today struck the communities of Zariit, Nahal Betzet, and near Shomera.

"Despite the difficult events, which we are investigating as we investigate all operational incidents, we must and we will continue to act as we are asked, both to restore in the north of the country and in general a deterrence, which some in Lebanon think is not relevant to them, and to go back and return it to the way it's supposed to be," said the Israeli Chief of Staff today touring the site of the attacks in Israel's northern sector.

"We want to restore the quiet to the northern border but more than anything we want to force the Lebanese government to take responsibility for deeds against Israel originating from its territory.  They must decide whether they are part of terror or part of a nation that counts among the nations of the world."

He said "The operation we have undertaken is quite broad.  It began immediately with the abduction incident and continued from then until this moment, and it will continue as long as necessary"

He added "The government of Israel has given us the permission and the requisite clearance to act to carry out national policy as prescribed.  The operation at this time is essentially ground-based fire, and we are striking various targets in Lebanon, both Lebanese national targets and those belonging to Hizbullah.  We will continue to do this as necessary until we achieve our goals."

An Israeli report said its defense minister Amir Peretz said that Israel would not allow Hizbullah to return to its positions along the Lebanese border and that only the Lebanese army can do so. He is reported to have said the Lebanon must honor UN resolutions,in reference that all militias should be disarmed, where Hizbullah is considered as a resistance force by many Lebanese, and Israel labels them as terrorists.

Israel, which as recently as days ago was condemned by Switzerland and others for violating international humanitarian law repeatedly. Israel is seen as able to act with great immunity and defiance of any UN action in light of the US protection of Israel, by the US power to veto resolutions against Israel at the Security Council.

Yesterday, White House spokesman Tony Snow was asked if the US is troubled by Israelis going into Lebanon. Snow said "We believe that Israel has the right to protect itself."

Israel today violated the Lebanese territory and made attacks on several country's infrastructure installations.

Israel warplanes fired a missile on a building housing the Hizbullah's TV station Al-Manar in Beirut's southern suburbs, wounding three employees.

The Israeli fighter jets today also bombed Lebanon's only international airport in the capital Beirut, causing heavy damage and killing 28 civilians.

The Lebanese Daily Star reported that Israel has imposed an air and sea blockade on Lebanon, and that Israel attacked Lebanese military sites deep in Lebanon as well.

The United Nations has repeated frequently condemnation of the regular violation by Israel of Lebanese territories, that include land, water and air violation, and Hizbullah is considered by some as a deterrent against an Israel government that has invaded and violated Lebanese areas repeatedly, with the last victory being the ejection of the Israeli occupation forces from Lebanon after Israel invaded it several years ago, and this victory is seen by Lebanese as due to the fighting success of the resistance led mainly by Hizbullah.

Previous Stories:
  7 Israeli soldiers killed, 2 kidnapped, by Hizbullah; Israel retaliate against civilians   (7/12/2006)
  Lebanese intelligence arrests Israeli spy network   (6/15/2006)
  Lebanon border fight with Israel following assassination   (5/29/2006)
  Larsen on the constant Israel violations against Lebanon   (3/25/2006)
  Israeli warplanes violate the Lebanese atmospheres   (3/14/2006)
  Israel never misses a chance to show itself the bully   (3/9/2006)

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