Air strikes in Lebanon
Photo: Reuters
Rocket launching cells targeted
Since morning hours IDF attacking from air, sea, as ground forces succeed in controlling Shiite village in south Lebanon; half-ton bomb dropped on Hizbullah post; Lebanon says Israel struck TV, telephone masts
Less than a day after declarations by IDF Chief of General Staff Lit.-Gen. Dan Halutz that Israel launched limited ground operations in south Lebanon, forces entered areas in south Lebanon and took positions in Shiite village there.
According reports soldiers entered the village under the cover of heavy artillery and tank fire and helicopters.
Lebanese officials denied the report saying Israeli troops controlled the village partially.
News agencies reported that Israeli soldiers came within 180 meters of Hizbullah terrorists who opened fire. No one was injured.
A bomb weighing half a ton was dropped 500 meters from the border near the village.
Other Hizbullah posts in the village were shelled by navy warships.
Israeli troops operating in the village of Marwaheen uncovered arms stashes belonging to Hizbullah. A launcher of anti-tank missiles was found.
Antenna hit
In parallel the IDF continued air strikes against Hizbullah targets. In the afternoon, the air force hit an antenna in northern Lebanon. A Lebanese army official said the antenna belonged to a cellular phone company. Israel said the antenna serves Hizbullah's Radio Nour, used for propaganda and incitement against Israel.
Disruptions were reported in TV broadcasting across Lebanon soon after the air strike.
The air force bombarded buildings in Beirut housing Hizbullah's al-Manar television last week, but the broadcaster continues to air from Baalbek.
Rocket launching pads, roads leading to them and two rocket launching cells were also struck overnight Friday.
News agencies contributed to this report
