Israeli warplanes violate Lebanese skies as SLA members continue to desert
Lebanon-Israel, Military, 7/19/1999

Israeli warplanes on Sunday flew over the villages and towns of the western and central sectors of south Lebanon, breaking the sound barrier.

Lebanese security sources said the town of Tebnin was violently hit by the Israeli artillery situated on Muheibib hill. Earlier in the day, Israeli warplanes flew over al-Nabatieyah and al-Tuffah district, carrying out mock and provocative raids, the sources continued.

The Israeli artillery also shelled a number of areas adjacent to the occupied strip of south Lebanon and the western Bekaa, targeting the suburbs of the towns of Qelya, al-Dufla and the Litani river course.

The shelling was accompanied by a mopping-up operation, using heavy machine-guns. On Sunday morning, the Lebanese resistance attacked an Israeli position in Sujoud inside the occupied strip of south Lebanon. Lebanese resistance sources said the resistance fighters used in their attacks machine-guns and rockets, adding that the attacks resulted in inflicting casualties on the position's personnel.

Earlier reports from south Lebanon said the pro-Israeli South Lebanon Army militias in the south and the western Bekaa are still in conditions of breaking up and collapse.

In this regard, a number of militia elements from the town of Eable al-Saqqi in the district of Marjyoun announced their repentance when the sheoukh (plural for Sheikh, Arabic for Clergy) of the district considered dealing with Israeli troopers and forces as a sin.

News reports from inside the occupied strip said five militia elements deserted the militias during the two last weeks.

Meanwhile, an Israeli military source said the Israeli army intends to enhance its support for allied militias to avoid their collapse. The Israeli army decided to increase the salaries of the militias and their budget, the source said.

Previous Stories:
  UNIFIL investigates Israeli theft of Lebanese soil, attacks continue   (7/16/1999)
  Israeli-allied militia member wounded in south Lebanon   (7/13/1999)
  SLA militia approaching its end   (7/9/1999)

Please add a link on your webiste pointing to ArabicNews.com and bookmark ArabicNews.com & subscribe to our daily email news bulletin.

Search