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South Beirut suburb's ruins
Photo: Reuters

Israeli jets strike Hizbullah stronghold in Beirut

Warplanes attack capital's southern suburb, as well as northeastern region of Baalbek in wake of group's deadly strike o Israel Sunday

Israeli warplanes attacked Beirut's southern suburbs at daybreak Monday, renewing bombardment of the Hizbullah stronghold a day after cross-border gunmen rockets killed 15 Israelis.

 

The sound of four loud explosions in a spate of 20 minutes from the southern suburbs and the roar of raiding jets shook the Lebanese capital. The missiles kicked up smoke and dust in the sky.

 

It was not clear what was hit in the four air strikes. South Beirut also was targeted by Israeli warplanes Sunday afternoon.

 

Early Monday, Israeli warplanes targeted a northeastern region that is a symbol of Hizbullah power, witnesses and the group said. At least four explosions were heard around the Bekaa Valley city of Baalbek, 100 kilometers (63 miles) north of Israel's border, witnesses said. There was no immediate word on casualties.

 

Warplanes struck roads about 20 kilometers (13 miles) south of Baalbek, and in the Rashaya region farther south on the corridor linking southern regions with the Bekaa in the country's east, the witnesses said.

 

Hizbullah has many bases in the Baalbek region. Israeli commandos on Wednesday landed troops in the Baalbek area and fought gunmen, kidnapped several people before withdrawing. Sixteen Lebanese were killed in that raid. The renewed air strikes came as Hizbullah battled Israeli forces attempting to advance deeper into southern Lebanon early Monday.

 

Hizbullah engaged Israeli infantrymen attempting to advance on the border villages of Aita al-Shaab, Rub Thalatheen and Dibel, the group's TV station said. At Houla, gunmen ambushed an advancing Israeli army unit and heavy fighting ensued.

 


פרסום ראשון: 08.07.06, 06:46
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