August 9

It was reported that an Israeli explosive blew up by a herd of goats, owned by the herdsman Malek Mohammad Ismail, at the outskirts of Zawtar Al-Sharqieh village, slaughtering 40 goats. Ismail and his son were not, miraculously, injured or killed.  In Eastern Sector of Southern Lebanon, an Israeli tank, Mirkava, fired, at night, eight cluster shells at Mimess area. This was followed, also, by firing fifteen mortar missiles at Bir Al-Azhr heights, surroundings of Ain Fjour Farm and Mimess area.  However, the security sources reported that one missile of "unknown source" struck the SOS village orphanage in the village of Sfarai, wounding one woman and two children.  The security sources added that the missile looks like the bombs put by the Israeli forces to kill the civilians inside the occupied zone.  In this context, an Israeli bomb exploded inside Markaba village within the Israeli-occupied zone, killing one woman and her two children.

 August 10

The Zionist enemy expanded its aggressions on the Lebanese territories so, and at 12:20 pm., four Israeli warplanes launched two air raids at, Janta hills and the outskirts of Rehit village. These warplanes were repelled by anti-crafts. The two air raids resulted in killing one of the Islamic Resistance fighters as a martyr called Mohammad Merhej Osman and wounding four others. Also, a big blaze broke out at the forests of Janta village.  2:15  Two Israeli warplanes broke, at low height, the sound barrier in the airspace of Baalback area, then, they went back to the Lebanese Western Mountains Series and finally diviated towards the South.  Also, about 4 O'clock afternoon, the Israeli occupation forces renewed its artillery shelling at Iqleem Al-Tuffah heights. This continued about half an hour to extend, then, to the forests of Al-Rihan, Aishieh and Sojod and outskirts of Al-Loweizeh, Aqmata and Kfar Houna villages. The number of shells which struck these villages added up to 60 of 155 mm caliber.  At this time, two Israeli helicopters fired a heavy machine gun rounds at the surroundings of Sojod, Mlikh, Al-Rihan, Aramta & Kfar Houna villages.  Also, it was reported that the Israeli warplanes flew in the airspace of Tyre region, while the helicopters hovered, at low height in the airspace of Western and Central Sectors of Southern Lebanon.One of these two helicopters landed at Al-Hoqban valley after a clash between two Israeli patrols.  Furthermore, the Israeli war boats sailed before Southern seashore.  An Israeli battleship and several war boats were seen opposite to the seashore of Tyre and Ras El-Ain.  In the Israeli-occupied zone, it was reported that unusual military motions between the posts of occupation forces, night patrols temporal checkpoints were registered.

 August 11

The Israeli warplanes made before noon a reconnaissance tour in the airspace of Western and Northern Beqaa. One of them threw several black, dust-covered bored and 80 cm length nylon sacks over Sultan Yaaqoub village and Manara plain. These sacks didnot carried any kind of expressions or words.  Also, the heavy machine gun rounds were fired at the forests of Mashghara, outskirts of Ain Al-Teeneh and surroundings of Ain Al-Amin.  On the other hand, the shelling which extended to SOS village at Safari-Jezzine, raised several questions, especially as Kfar Falous and Jezzine sectors were militarily calm.  The security sources fingered at Antoine Lahd Militia, since shelling Sfarai came after the unjustified bombardment, before few days, of Joun-Al Chouf and Kfar Melki-Iqleem Al-Tuffah which, then, resulted in killing one civilian and wounding seven others.  The same sources said that Israeli and Lahd's Militia had escalated the situation beginning from East Saida to the surroundings of Kfar Falous crossing point reaching to Jezzine area in order to prevent opening Kfar Falous crossing point.  It is worth mentioning that the population of Jezzeine refused to join their sons within the ranks of Lahd's Militia. So, ban of opening Kfar Falous crossing point was seen as a result of the population's rejecting attitudes towards joining to Lahd's Militia.

 August 12

At mid night, the Israeli occupation forces shelled the outskirts of Froun, Ghandourieh & Slouqi valley - Central Sector of Southern Lebanon- from its Al-Qantara post. At dawn the Israeli enemy, located at Bayada position in Western Sector, fired several shells at the outskirts of Byout Al-Seyad and Majdal Zoun villages. This was accompanied by firing heavy machine gun rounds at their surroundings.  Also, as of four O'clock in the afternoon, the Israeli forces, located at Zaffata and Mahmoudieh posts, bombarded the heights and forests of Sojod, Rihan and Aishieh villages. At the same time, the valleys of Slouqi, Hojair and Qaisieh villages - in Central Sector - came under fire.  In Nabatieh Al-Fawqa, a family, miraculously, survived as an Israeli missile exploded, suddenly, in front of its house. Before that, the eastern heights of Nabatieh Al-Fawqa and Kfar Romman, the surroundings of Ghandour Palace and deserted Lebanese Army Barracks of Nabatieh, the outskirts of Habboush and Arabsaleem and Litani River had came under intermittent fire of Israeli forces at Dabsheh and Sowaida positions.  However, the Israeli warplanes flew, at low and middle height, in the airspace of Iqleem Al-Tuffah and Nabatieh regions launching several mock air raids. They were repelled by the Islamic Resistance and Lebanese Army anti-aircrafts.  In Western Beqaa, it was reported that the Israeli warplanes flew, intensively, in the airspace of this region. Also, the Israeli shelling spread into Jabour, Rahbat, Maramel and Ain Al-Tineh heights. Furthermore, Mashghara heights and surroundings of Ain Al-Amin came under heavy machine gun rounds and rocket-propelled grenades.

 August 13

2:00  The outskirts of Majdalzoun came under intermittent shelling emanating from Hardoun Israeli-occupied post. Before that time, the concerned post showered heavy machine gun rounds at its surroundings and fired four mortar shells at Armess area within the occupied zone.  3:30  The occupation forces at Zaffata, Abbad and Taibeh project posts fired about thirty 120 and 155 mm shells at the outskirts of Zawtar Al-Sharqieh and Zawtar al-Gharbieh, Litani River and Hojair valley .  Also, the Israeli occupation forces bombarded the heights of Zahr, Meemess and Maidoun and the surroundings of Srairah and Dallafeh positions with several shells causing no damage.

 August 14

The Israeli heavy artillery fired a number of 155 mm shells, emanating from Teir Harfa, Abbad and Hemayed positions, at the outskirts of Kafra, Yatar, Haddatha, Haris, Aita El Jabal and Srobbin villages.  Also, the Israeli occupation forces bombarded Mlita, Loueizeh, Ain Bouswar, Jabal Al-Rafih, Jabal Abi Rashed, Berkat Jabbour & heights of Maidoun and Ain Al-Teeneh with several 130 mm shells. This bombardment was accompanied by firing flash bombs over Kfar Houna heights and Sojod surroundings, and showering the area around with heavy machine gun rounds.  Further more, the Israeli enemy renewed its bombardment of Litane River and the surroundings of Sraireh, Qilya and Dallafa area. The bombardment resulted in cutting the high tension electric wires which supply Hasbaya region. The pro-Israeli militia, located at Al-Khalil barracks of Zaghla and Ahmadieh position, shelled for about one hour Jabal Al-Zahr, Bir Al-Zahr and surroundings of Ain El-Jamal farms. This was accompanied by firing heavy machine gun rounds at the northen part of Zemraya crossing point. The collaborators patrolled, also, the sectors of Zaghla, Hasbaya, Abo Qamha and Hasbani.  On the other hand, the Israeli warplanes flew in the airspace of Nabatieh, Iqleem Al-Tuffah and Saida regions launching several mock raids. The warplanes were repelled by Islamic Resistance and Lebanese Army anti-aircrafts.  However, It was reported that an Israeli armored supplies, about 14 armored vehicles, entered through Mutella settlement into the Lebanese territories and deployed at Shraifi heights to the north of Marjeyoun town.

 August 15

At night, the Israeli occupation forces shelled the outskirts of Zibqeen and Majdal Zoun villages and Al-Naqha and Al-Debb valleys with several 120 mm missiles and heavy machine gun rounds.  Also, the Israeli-occupied Teir Harfa post fired a number of 155 mm shells at the perimeters of Majdoulin and Izzieh villages. This firing was accompanied by showering the surroundings of Haddatha, Baraacheet, Zibqeen and Hennieh villages with heavy machine gun rounds breaking out a blaze at the latter area.  Besides, a bomb exploded at Khanazeer valley between the two occupation forces posts Alman and Qsair resulted in material damage only.  In Eastern Sector, the enemy forces bombarded Meemess area and Jabal El-Zahr heights. As to pro-Israeli militia, it showered Hasbani sector with machine guns.

 August 16

The Israeli warplanes launched four air raids at 6:20, 6:30, 8:05 and 8:10 pm into Naameh heights. The warplanes fired a number of heavy air-to-ground rockets at Popular Front for Liberating Palestine-General Command. No casualties were reported but material damage only.The successive air raids aimed at causing a big number of casualties but the Israeli enemy failed in achieving its brutal goals.  An official of PFLP-GC stated in the wake up of air raids that since the double martyrdom-operation in the heart of Al-Quds, the Israeli enemy seeks, effectively, to get rid of its internal crisis and raise the morale of its people and soldiers via coordination and cooperation with Arafat suppressive systems in the areas of autonomy.

 August 17

1:00  The Israeli occupation forces bombarded up to 30 heavy rounds the valleys of Deir Yassine and the perimeters of Deir Qanoun Al-Nahr village and Beaufort Castle post.  The security sources said that the Israeli enemy at Zaffata position shelled the heights of Iqleem Al-Tuffah, Mlita, Sojod forests and Rihan with 155 mm missiles.  Also, the Israeli-occupied Dabsheh position attacked with bombs the deserted Lebanese Army barracks of Nabatieh Al-Fawqa in addition to firing heavy machine gun rounds at Hay Al-Masslakh, Nabatieh.  Early this day, the Israeli enemy fired several shells at the heights of Jabal Al-Zahr and Jabal El-Qetraneh and surroundings of Sraireh village.  However, the various regions of Central and Western Sectors of Southern Lebanon witnessed firing of dozen of flash bombs. Besides, the outskirts of Zibqeen, Majdal Zoun, Baracheet, Beit Yahoun and Aita El-Jabal villages came under fire of Israeli-occupied posts of Blat, Baraacheet, Beit Yahoun and Rajmain.  In Western Beqaa, the Israeli forces targeted the heights of Al-Jabbour, Rihayat and Maramel and Abou Rashed forests. Also, Litani River, Ain Al-Teeneh heights and the perimeters of Ain Al-Amin came under fire of heavy machine gun rounds.  On the other hand, the Israeli war boats patrolled the seashore of South firing several heavy machine gun rounds.  Mean while, the Israeli helicopters flew over the green-line villages reaching at Litani River.

 August 18

Daily star /August 19-1997  In the bloodiest day of violence since last year's Israeli onslaught, nine Lebanese civilians were killed and up to 41 wounded, catapulting the south once again to the center stage of the Middle East conflict.  The first shell exploded behind the Hammoud hospital in the Sitt Nafiseh neighborhood at 2:15 pm destroying several cars in a nearby car park.  The second, five minutes later, fell in the Hay al-Zouhour neighborhood, killing a baby, Rami Khattab, and wounding six people.  Five people were killed when a third round crashed into al Bawabeh Al-Fawqa near the sea castle at 2:45 pm.  The dead included Ramzi Youssef Youssef, a Syrian kaak seller who was decapitated in the blast, and Hanan Basheer, whose husband, Mohammed Rahal, suffered serious wounds. Their month-old baby lost his right foot.  The other three dead were identified as Ramez Abu-Hamdan, Mahmoud Sleem and Faten Aziz.  The remaining shells landed on Martyrs Square, the Daher petrol station and Riad Solh street, damaging cars and shattering windows in several offices.  Doctors and nurses struggled to find space for the wounded as dozens of anxious relatives converged on the hospital.  Speaking from his hospital bed, his arms and legs swathed in blood-soaked bandages, Safi Gamlouche, 37, said he heard two explosions and decided to close his jewellery shop, located in a narrow alley behind Riad al-Solh street.  "I heard two shells explode some distance away and I was not expecting any near me. But then a third shell landed a few metres from me as I was closing the shop," he said.  The shell that injured him and two other civilians appeared to have been designed to explode in the air a few metres above its target. Airburst shells are intended to inflict maximum casualties among personnel rather than destroy buildings or vehicles and were used to deadly effect in the Qana massacre last year.  Seventy-year-old Ibrahim Shaaban, the concierge of a building in Serail street, was leaving the building as the shelling began.  "After the first explosion I tried to get back inside but was caught by the second shell,"he said. The left side of his face was soaked with blood and a relative explained that the sound of the explosion had burst his ear drum.  The streets emptied during the bombardment as panic-stricken residents sought shelter in their homes. Dozens of car fled the city and headed towards Beirut.  Villages east of Sidon, including Joun and Kfar Milki, were also targeted by the SLA.  Hana Salban, 28, was in the kitchen of her house in Kfar Hatta, when a shell exploded nearby. She suffered shrapnel wounds.  Several houses were damaged in Kfar Milki and shelling sparked brush fires in nearby valleys. Joun was hit by ten shells but no casualties were reported.  On the other hand, the Israeli aggression did not confine on Saida city, but it spread to another parts of South and Western Beqaa.  The Israeli-occupied Zaffata and Dabsheh posts fired Zahrani River, the eastern heights of Nabatieh Al-Fawqa and Kfar Romman and the perimeters of deserted Lebanese Army barracks of Nabatieh with several shells. This was accompanied by heavy machine gun rounds.  The Israeli heavy shelling, also, extended to the highway of Kfar Fila-Jibaa and Kafra valley where a number of fires flared up.

 August 19

The Israeli forces continued putting bombs against the Lebanese civilians.In a clear attempt to stick these brutal actions to the Islamic Resistance.  In this context, the Israeli enemy detonated a roadside bomb killing a truck driver near Jezzine, the driver Kamal Maarouf Abou Mehdi, 45 from Bater village, was killed as his truck was passing by Zahr Al Ramla area on his way to Bater.  Hizbullah said it was Isrseli agents who have been planting these bombs in a desperate attempt to whip up anti-resistance sentiment among Jezzine population and incite discord among the Lebanese.  On the other hand, the Israeli artillery gunners fired up to 20 shells from its Blat post at Hennieh, Mansouri and Yatar, Wetern sector of Southern Lebanon. Also, they blasted, in the afternoon, the area between Jibal Al-Botom and Zibqeen with several missiles in addition to firing the same area with heavy machine gun rounds of helicopters. This was happened after flying Israeli warplanes in the airspace of Central and Western Sectors of South Lebanon.  Also, the Israeli warplanes launched an raid into a valley near Zibqeen village. Furthermore, the enemy warplanes flew, at low height, in the airspace of Iqleem Al-Tuffah and Nabatieh regions, making several mock air raids and reconnaissance tours where they were fired by Islamic Resistance and Lebanese Army anti-aircrafts.  In Western Beqaa, the enemy forces bombarded Yohmor valley, Qilya and Jabbour heights, Maidoun forests and Rihayat and Moqawam hills. Also, they showered the area betwwen Mashghara, Ain El Tina and Rilya orchards. The shelling extended to Jabal Al Zahr and Jabal Al-Qitraneh.  However, Yitzhak Mordechai, Minister of Defense, ruled out any great military operation into Lebanon. Ehud Barak, Leader of Labor Party, suggested an Israeli phased-withdrawal from South Lebanon as a first step on the way to put an end for the growing violence in The region, despite calls for tough action by the hard-line infrastructure minister, Ariel Sharon who charged the senior officials of Israeli State with leaking the cleavage in Israeli viewpoints to the press.

 August 20

In a largest air strike into Lebanon for 16 months, Israeli warplanes launched three air raids at Janta, Toffahta and Barja.  10:17  Five Israeli warplanes fired four air-to-surface rockets at Janta valleys, Baalback, wounding a number of civilians and causing material damage with several houses. Islamic Resistance fired four Sam-7 surface-to-air rockets but the planes escaped after casting thermal balloons.  After this raid, the Israeli warplanes and reconnaissance aircrafts continued their flying, throughout the day, in the airspace of Baalback and neighbouring area.  11:00  The Israeli warplanes targeted Toffahta, Zahrani, firing two air-to-surface rockets near Lebanese Army position, narrowly missing a civilian car.  This raid was accompanied by flying warplanes in the airspace of Nabatieh, Iqleem Al-Tuffah and Zahrani carrying out, at low height, several mock air raids.  11:30  The Israeli Jets knocked down the pylon in Barja, next to the Jiye power station, which was part of an electricity network feeding Iqleem Al-Kharroub and Chouf. It was reported that the Israeli Jets.Fired two air-to-surface rockets the first failed to explode, while the second hit the 66 kilo volt high-tension power line.  An official source of Lebanon Electricity Firm said:"It is a main power line and it will take sometime to do the necessary repairs. So, Iqleem Al-Kharroub and Chouf village will be subjected to a severe power rationing and fed, temporarily, from the plantes in Litani and Tyre".  In this context, the Israeli shelling continued in other parts of South and western Beqaa. Thus, the occupation forces blasted dozens of missiles into Berkat Jabbour, forests of Abi Rashed and heights of Maramel and Rihayat. Also, they fired heavy machine gun rounds at the forests of Maidoun and Mashghara.  However, the Israeli enemy brought further military reinforcements into the occupied enclave, including several armored personnel carriers to the Lahd Militia Command at Zaghleh barracks whereas a group of Golani Brigade entered into Ahmadieh post north of Kawkaba.  Also, the occupation forces moved a number of 175 mm field guns from Shraifeh, Majidieh and Zaffata positions to more safe places.

 August 24

19:00  The helicopters flew in the airspace of Iqleem Al-Tuffah heights, Odeisseh, Robb-Thlathin and Abbad.  22:28  The Israeli warplanes flew over Iqleem Al-Tuffah heights.  23:30  The helicopters flew over Qlayleh, Maalkeh, Simmarieh and the seashore of Saida in addition to flying M.K. reconnaissance aircrafts over Adsheit and Jibsheit villages.  23:40  A reconnaissance aircraft flew, at middle height, over Litani River, Teirfelsieh, Homeiri, Hallousieh and the neighbouring areas.  23:45  The helicopters hovered over Iqleem Al-Tuffah heights.  23:50  A reconnaissance aircraft soared, at middle height, over Zrairieh, Kharayeb, Kawthariat Al Rozz and Ansar.  23:55  Two helicopters soared, at high height, over Qana, Aiteet and Reshknanay villages.

 August 25

00:00  Eleven 81 mm shells emanating from Sojod post hit Jabal Sojod, also, twenty 120 mm shells emanating from Sojod post and Rihan village struck the eastern part of Arabsaleem.  00:05  A reconnaissance aircraft flew, at middle height, over Jibsheit, Harouf, Qana and Aiteit villages.  At the same time, four 81 mm missiles emanating from Sojod post fell on Al-Tasseh well.  00:10  M.K. reconnaissance aircraft soared over Majdal Selem, Khorbet Selem, Shaqra and the neighbouring areas.  00:19  Five 120 mm shells emanating from Rihan village struck Jabal Sojod in addition to flying a reconnaissance aircraft over Iqleem Al-Tuffah.    00:25  M.K. reconnaissance aircraft soared over Khorbet-Selem, Majdal-Selem, Sultanieh, Jmaijmeh and Bir Al-Salasel.  00:29  Four 120 mm shells emanating from Rihan area fell on Jabal Sojod.  00:35  M.K. reconnaissance aircraft hovered over Wadi Jilow, Aiteit, Debbaal and Bazourieh.  00:45  The warplanes and M.K. reconnaissance aircraft flew over Borj El-Shimali and the enighbouring areas.  00:50  Heavy machine gun rounds of 12.7 mm emanating from Salaah position hit its surroundings.  5:45  Heavy machine gun rounds of 12.7 mm emanating from Bir Kallab position struck its surroundings.  6:00  Heavy machine gun rounds of 12.7 mm emanating from Dabsheh position hit its surroundings and the deserted Lebanese Army Barracks of Nabatieh.  6:10  Six tank missiles emanating from Dabsheh position fell on the deserted Lebanese Army Barracks.  6:10  Ten 120 mm shells emanating from Rihan area fell on Al Tasseh well.  6:30  Five 120 mm shells emanating from Rihan area fell on Jabal Sojod.  6:30  It was reported that Nabatieh Al-Fawqa came under fire of 105 mm flechlette bombs. As a result, Hassan Moussa Ghandour's home and car, Mohammed Moussa Ghandour's home and Abdelreda Tofeili's car were damaged.  6:35  Litani River and the perimetes of Jabal Al-Rafih were exposed to several 105 mm tank missiles emanating from Soweida poisition.  8:40  The helicopters soared over Iqleem Al-Tuffah regions.  10:00  Five 120 mm shells emanating from 17 th Headquarters fell on the outskirts of Haddatha in addition to flying warplanes over Western Sector of Southern Lebanon.  10:30  The warplanes flew, at middle height, over Central Sector of Southern Lebanon.  10:50  The helicopters soared over Iqleem Al Tuffah regions.  11:30  M.K. reconnaissance aircraft flew, at middle height, over the Southern coast line.  12:05  The warplanes launched an air raid into Naameh heights near Beirut.  12:20  The warplanes flew over Iqleem Al-Tuffah.  13:30  The warplanes flew, at low height, in the airspace of Western Beqaa launching a series of mock raids.  13:45  The warplanes flew, at middle height, over Iqleem At-Tuffah regions launching several mock raids, but the Islamic Resistance and Lebanese Army anti-aircrafts repelled them.  14:05  It was reported that the Israeli warplanes flew, at low and middle height, throughout the Southern Lebanon where they were repelled by Islamic Resistance and Lebanese Army anti-aircrafts.  14:45  The warplanes made several mock raids over Tyre city and its neighbouring.  15:00  The warplanes flew, at middle height, over Iqleem Al-Tuffah areas.

 August 30

18:20  Two Zionist helicopters soared, at low altitude, over Blat position.  18:45  One helicopter landed into Blat position.  19:07  Jabal Sojod came under twelve 120 mm missiles emanating from Rihan area.  19:20  Jabal Sojod subjected to nine 81 mm missiles emanating from Bir Kallab outpost.  21:30  One flash bomb lightened Izzieh area.  21:45  Several flash bombs lightened East Saida and Kfar Falous areas. At the same time, one lightened helicopter soared over Markaba, Meis El-Jabal and Wadi El-Slouqi areas.  21:50  Two flash bombs lightened the area of Radar post.  22:10  One helicopter landed at Qabaa position.  23:10  The Israeli warplanes flew in the airspace of Beirut, the capital.  23:40  Abou Qamha position fired twelve smoke missiles at Litani River.  23:50  Two 81 mm flash bombs emanating from Baraasheit outpost lightened the area between Beit Yahoun and Baraasheit villages.