“Liberation of Shibaa Farms is imminent": Hizbullah…(1)

Hizbullah has been warning “Israel” against the continued violation of Lebanon's airspace.

Hizbullah's top official in southern Lebanon Sheikh Nabil Qawook warned “Israel” there is only one way to avoid warfare with Lebanon and that is withdrawing from the Shibaa Farms. Qawook said “Israel’s” pullout from the area is imminent, adding some 19 Lebanese detained in the Jewish state will also be released. The US and the UN have been warning of risks of an escalation in the region following Hizbullah's bombing of an “Israeli” military patrol at Tallat Semaqqah in the Shibaa Farms last week. The attack was the first by Hizbullah, which spearheaded the resistance war until “Israel’s” pullout, since the group captured three “Israeli” soldiers in the region last month. Hizbullah wants to swap them for Lebanese and Arab detained by “Israel”. “Israel”, backed by the UN, claims the Shibaa Farms is Syrian territory occupied in 1967. But Beirut and Damascus stress the region belongs to Lebanon and should have been vacated by “Israeli” troops under Security Council resolution 425.

Differences between Lebanon, UN over “Israeli” withdrawal…(2)

“ Lebanon said Monday that the “Israeli” retreat line drawn by the United Nations does not cover the Shibaa Farms, which are still occupied by “Israel” but which Beirut plans to recover "by all means possible."

"The United Nations 'blue line' does not cover the Shibaa Farms. These farms are Lebanese and “Israel” is still occupying them. We have committed ourselves, and remain committed, to work for their liberation," Foreign Minister Mahmud Hammud told the press.

He was speaking after meeting with Rolf Knutsson, the personal representative of UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, who described Thursday's Hizbullah attack in the area as "a dangerous violation" of the withdrawal line and called on Beirut to take "immediate measures to guarantee respect" of the line.

From its side, Hizbullah said Monday its struggle against “Israel” would continue so long as there are Lebanese held in “Israeli” jails and the Jewish state occupies part of Lebanon's territory and threatens its sovereignty.

Hammud recalled that Beirut had on several occasions warned against "incidents of this kind" if “Israel” remained in the Shibaa Farms area after its May 24 withdrawal from southern Lebanon following 22 years of occupation.

These "farms" are spread over some 20 square kilometres (eight square miles) on the slopes of Mount Hermon, in the border area between Syria, “Israel” and Lebanon.

"All the parties should understand that Lebanon is determined to press for the liberation of its land by all means," he said.

He acknowledged that the UN considered the Hizbullah attack to be a violation of the 'blue line.' "That is the point of view of the UN. We are sticking to our position," he said.

Hammud also said he had asked Knutsson to "raise the issue of “Israeli” violations. The incident that happened in Shibaa can not be compared with the daily “Israeli” aggressions by air, land, and sea," he said.

"It is essential that all violations stop immediately," he said in a statement distributed by the United Nations information centre in Beirut.

Civilian seriously injured by “Israeli” landmine in south Lebanon…(3)

“ A Lebanese agricultural worker was seriously injured Monday by the explosion of an “Israeli” landmine at the periphery of the former “Israeli”-occupied border zone in southern Lebanon, police said.

Said Hassan, 32, was watering a tobacco field when he stepped on the landmine which caused serious wounds in his foot and other parts of his body, they said.

“Israeli” forces had planted mines along the periphery of the border zone it occupied for 22 years in southern Lebanon until its troop pullout in May.

The area where the landmine blew up on Monday had been deserted throughout the occupation, but since the “Israeli” pullout it was turned into a tobacco field.

The number of accidents involving landmines and other booby traps in southern and eastern Lebanon has increased alarmingly since the “Israeli” withdrawal.

Since then, nine civilians have been killed and 54 injured by exploding mines and booby-trapped objects.

Among the wounded are about 10 Lebanese army soldiers who received injuries while clearing landmine fields, according to an AFP count.

The United Nations Interim Forces in Lebanon estimates that “Israel” left behind 130,000 mines in southern Lebanon.

On November 14, the UNIFIL said its Finnish, Swedish and Ukrainian sappers had cleared mines almost one third of the formerly-occupied area, defusing 1,520 explosive devices.

“Israeli” jets shake Beirut with supersonic booms…(4)

“ “Israeli” warplanes broke the sound barrier Monday over Beirut and other regions in southern Lebanon, AFP correspondents said.

The fighter-bombers provoked two loud supersonic booms over the capital, they said.

The jets had earlier swooped over southern Lebanon, causing bangs over the coastal cities of Tyre and Sidon as well as the mountainous regions of Hasbaya and Rashaya, they said.

Beirut has filed complaints to the United Nations over repeated “Israeli” violations of its airspace.

“Israeli” military unit "Igoz" called to serve along border…(5)

An “Israeli” army spokesman said the special military unit "Igoz" will be planted along the border with Lebanon because it is the only military unit qualified for fighting Hizbullah and facing its increasing operations. It seems that the “Israeli” army forgot the  many defeats the "Igoz" unit  suffered during the “Israeli” occupation in South Lebanon.

Lebanese Army Commander : "Fully prepared to face aggressions"…(6)

On the occasion of Lebanon's Independence Day, the first after liberation of the South and Bekaa from the “Israeli” occuption, the Army Commander Major General Michel Suleiman told Lebanese troops: " Although the enemy was defeated under the attacks of the Resistance and due to the steadfastness of the army and people , it (“Israel”) is still behaving in an aggressive manner by not withdrawing from Shibaa Farms, and by not releasing the (Lebanese) detainees." Major General Sulieman also maintained the necessity of always being ready to face the threats of the enemy and to confront "“Israel’s”" assaults using all possible means.

Two “Israeli” settlers killed in heroic operation in Gaza…(7)

In an attack described by “Israeli” Prime Minister Ehud Barak as the severest since the beginning of the intifadah, two “Israeli” settlers were killed and ten were wounded , some critically on Monday  when a bomb exploded in front of a settlers' bus carrying them close to Kfar Darom settlement in the largely Palestinian-ruled Gaza Strip. Six of the wounded were reported to be “Israeli” soldiers escorting the bus.

The “Israeli” army said damage to the bus, which was heavily armoured and under military escort , was caused by a heavy caliber mortar shell attached to a detonator. The shell was surrounded with pieces of metal, it said.

A spokesman of the "al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigade," said it was responsible of the attack and asserted the group is in possession of a video film of the military operation against the “Israeli” bus , which will be broadcasted later. Another group called "Hizbullah Palestine" took responsibility of the attack which it is said is in retaliation for the massacres the “Israeli” enemy is committing against Palestinians.

The army sealed off the bus and the surrounding area and Palestinian police said “Israel” had closed the Rafah crossing with Eygpt. "Isreal" also blocked off other areas, largely preventing moving between northern and southern Gaza, Palestinian officials said.

A car bomb killed two “Israelis” in al-Quds on November 2 and a  Palestinian bomber drove his bicycle into  a wall near an army post in Gaza on October 26, slightly injuring a soldier.

A Palestinian policeman killed an “Israeli” soldier and wounded two in a lone attack in Gaza on Saturday.

There are several thousand Jewish settlers in Gaza and more than one million Palestinians. Palestinian figures show about 35  to 40 percent of Gaza is still under “Israeli” control.

Intifadah fighters carry out more operations against Occupation…(8)

An “Israeli” army spokesman reported that soldiers shot dead a Palestinian Sunday close to Alphy-Menacheh Jewish settlement, near the Palestinian town of Qalqilya.

The “Israeli” army report said' "An army unit observed a group of Palestinian gunmen, who opened fire on a convoy going to Alphy-Menacheh Settlement. The “Israeli” army opened fire on the group and killed a gunman and wounded others. However, the (Palestinian) gunmen were able to escape."

Moreover, Palestinian intifadah fighters Monday morning targeted using gunfire an “Israeli” military patrol at Tel-al-Rumaidah near West Bank town of al-Khalil (Hebron).

Sunday evening, Intifadah fighters also opened fire on an occupation convoy near a Jewish settlement in Nablus. The Tsaghot Settlement, an “Israeli” military outpost in Tolkorm, an occupation force at Karni Crossing point, and Nevi Dekaleem Settlement were also attached.

“Israeli” Occupation strikes Gaza in retaliation…(9)

Following the Gaza operation "“Israel’s”" security cabinet swiftly held an emergency meeting and promised to respond to the attack.

“Israeli” deputy war Minister Ephraim Sneh said "the Palestinian military leadership" is envolved in the attack on the settlers' bus in Gaza strip.

However, Sneh said in a press conference that he doesn't hold Yasser Arafat "personally responsible" for the attack. Sneh rather said Arafat should bear some responsibility for the attack because he had released members of "radical" group from jail in recent weeks.

Unable to stop  the intifadah, the “Israeli” security cabinet gave the green light to “Israeli” helicopter gunships to retaliate by firing missiles into Gaza city at evening rush hour Monday.

Civilian areas were targeted and Arafat's Fatah faction headquarters and police stations were hit.

The headquarter of the Palestinian Preventive Security agency, a 7-floored building, was completely destroyed. “Israeli” warships also shelled Gaza city which was plugged into darkness after missiles targeted an electricity station.

Hospital sources said 25 Palestinians at least were slightly injured in the attack.

Palestinian Authority President spokesman Nabil Abu Rudainah urged "“Israel”" to stop its strikes. "The Palestinian Authority has issued a statement saying that we have nothing to do with this incident," said Abu Rudainah.

"Buraq Wall is an inseparable part of al-Aqsa Mosque," says representatives of religious institutions in al-Quds…(10)

Press information revealed that negotiations are currently taking place on sending a force of United Nations observers to occupied Palestinian territories in an attempt to contain the intifadah. Palestinian Authority President Yasser Arafat said he was ready to discuss the sending of U.N. observers. “Israeli” PM Ehud Barak also announced his interest in the proposal.

Concerning the identity of al-Quds, representatives of religious institutions in occupied Palestine launched a campaign in which signatures are to be collected on a statement which confirms that al-Aqsa mosque is an Islamic mosque and that Al-Buraq wall (Wailing Wall) is an inseparable part of the mosque.

The statement refuses all “Israeli” measurements and military orders issued since 1967 concerning al-Quds.

The statement called the Palestinian population of al-Quds and its surroundings to pray everyday in the holy city.

Footnotes:

1- Future TV, 20-11-2000.

2- AFP, 20-11-2000.

3- Same source.

4- Same source.

5- Manar TV, 20-11-2000.

6- Same source.

7- Same source.

8- Same source.

9- Same source.

10 - Same source.