Israel escalates terrorist policy against South Lebanon

Israeli occupation forces continued the siege on the town of Ebl al-Saqqi for the seventh running day. Israeli soldiers on Wednesday stormed the town and arrested three citizens.

The number of those who were detained for interrogation was more than 30.

News reports from south Lebanon stated that this campaign of arrest against the town's citizens is being made following the circulation of information on the killing of Israeli Gen. Erez Gerstein near the town on February 28, 1999.

Meanwhile, the Hasbaya area and neighboring villages have witnessed suppressive measures by Israeli forces. Military checkpoints were set up in streets and every day soldiers open fire sporadically over the heads of the pedestrians.

Meanwhile, Israeli naval forces on Wednesday opened fire on Lebanese fishing boats off al-Mansouri coast. Israeli helicopters flew over the area as the attack took place.

In this context, the French daily Le Figaro said in its Wednesday issue that Israel has found itself confronted by a new hindrance in south Lebanon. The pro-Israeli militias of the South Lebanon Army which were established by Israel in the occupied strip have shown frustration, especially following the detention of three SLA officers on charges of making contacts and communicating information to the Lebanese resistance.

For its part, in an editorial based on a broadcast by the Orient radio on Wednesday, the French daily added that the number of agents who abscond has increased remarkably, noting the detention of several SLA officers recently.

An official of the SLA absconded with his family and unveiled 20 agents working for the Israeli Mossad secret service. Thus, the Mossad has ceased coordination with the militias in fear of information leaks to the Lebanese resistance, the French paper added.