Officer, 2 soldiers hurt in Lebanon
(VIDEO) Troops wounded during fire exchanges with Hizbullah gunmen near village of Houla in eastern sector of south Lebanon; four terrorists killed in firefight. Clashes also take place in town of Bint Jbeil, three gunmen killed
Additionally, exchanges of fire also broke our in Bint Jbeil and troops killed three gunmen.
Eyewitnesses reported that eight explosions were heard in less than one hour, and that smoke was billowing over the neighborhood.
The strikes were carried out just hours prior to the anticipated arrival of Arab foreign ministers at the Beirut International Airport. The ministers are set to take part in a special emergency meeting aimed at reaching a ceasefire.
Over 150 Hizbullah targets hit
Israeli air strikes killed 13 civilians in Lebanon and Hizbullah battled Israeli ground troops on Monday, Lebanese sources reported.
Seven members of the same family were killed in the southern Lebanese village of Ghazzaniyeh when Israeli jets struck their house. Two women and a boy were killed and 13 people wounded in a similar strike in Kfar Tibneet village, also in the south. Two more civilians died in a strike in the nearby Harouf village. Israeli jets also struck a southern suburb of Beirut and the eastern Bekaa Valley, both Hizbullah strongholds. One civilian died in the Bekaa attacks.
Earlier, Lebanese police officials reported that the IAF struck targets in the Baalbek region, bombarding roads south of the town.
The IDF attacked more than 150 terror targets across Lebanon during the last day, including some 50 structures and bunkers used by Hizbullah, and about 10 tunnels and caved used by terrorists.
In addition, five suspect vehicles were hit, including a truck loaded with arms near Bint Jbeil.
The air force destroyed seven rocket launchers, two of which has been used in the deadly attack on Haifa Sunday. Over 60 rocket launch sites, roads and bridges were also struck.
Waiting on the political apparatus
The IDF is currently waiting for the decisions of the political apparatus in regards to expanding the ground operations. Sunday night the daily progress report of Defense Minister Amir Peretz, Chief of Staff Dan Halutz and senior officials in the defense establishment was made.
IDF sources said to Ynet Sunday night, "At this point, there is no intention to advance to the Litani, unless the order is received from the political apparatus. From our perspective, the ground operation is continuing and is concentrated within eight to 12 kilometers from the border."
The sources added that at this stage they are "cleaning" the villages of Hizbullah terrorists, weaponry, ammunitions, bunkers, and are working on identifying launchers and destroying them. According to the sources, if the political apparatus decides to advance up to the Litani, the IDF is prepared to do so.
A few days ago, the minister of defense instructed the IDF to prepare for the next stage, forge through to the Litani, though a final decision has yet to be made on the issue.
