Arnoun once again in the hands of Israel
Lebanon-Israel, Military, 4/16/1999

On February 18 there was the first occupation. On the February 26, just eight days after being seized by Israel, Arnoun was freed from the barbed wires at the hands of Lebanese students. Arnoun enjoyed the taste of freedom for just a few weeks.

On the April 13, the US ambassador to Lebanon, David Satterfield, made visits to several Lebanese officials carrying to them a message of threats from Israel. Just after two days later Arnoun once again fell under Israeli occupation.

On Thursday before sunset at 7 p.m. Israeli armored troops composed of some 25 soldiers escorted by two Merkava tanks and a Jib loading element advanced into the town from its western entrance. Members of the Israeli force established a barrier on the highway of Arnoun-Yahmur-al-Shaqelf and prevented movement to and from Arnoun.

While fortifications were being built around the city, the Israeli soldiers stationed at al-Shaqif castle bombarded Arnoun's western entrance and detained several Lebanese citizens who were in their cars in the area and used them as human shields. Among those Lebanese civilians are Jenan Muroweh and her daughter, Youssef Saeedi, Mousa Hadraj, Mousa Oun, Hussein Abdullah, Mohsin Ajami and many others.

By establishing fortifications at the western entrance of the town of Arnoun, the Israeli occupation forces closed the highway of Yahmur-al-Shaqief road.

News reports from south Lebanon said that Israeli occupation forces confiscated the cellular and cut electricity from the town. Eyewitnesses said that the Israeli soldiers once against erected barbed wires around the town.

Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told Israeli television that the Israeli army broke into Arnoun because the occupation forces "have been exposed to attacks started from Arnoun, and we have decided to work to put an end to such threats."

Previous Stories:
  Israel continues aggression against south Lebanon   (4/15/1999)
  Israel waiting for final plans to minimize troops in south Lebanon   (4/14/1999)
  Israeli forces demolish three houses in Arnoun   (3/19/1999)
  Lebanese university students free Arnoun village from Israel's naked aggression   (2/27/1999)

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