Daily Report  

Introduction
Lebanon stood unified Friday in fury and defiance of the "Israeli" threats following a brazen 10-hour aerial blitz that killed eight people and left much of the country's roads and power network in tatters.

In response to "Israel's" continued aggressions, the Islamic Resistance (IR) gunners bombarded the "Israeli" settlements of the occupied northern Palestine. Two "Israeli" settlers were killed in Kiryat Shmona whereas the third remains in serious conditions at a northern "Israel" hospital.

Hizbullah's Secretary General H.E. Sayyed Hassan Nassrallah stressed that "the Zionist aggression against the Jamhour power station and other power plants will make us more determined to resist the "Israeli" occupation and hold to our legitimate right in defending our people and land".

Meanwhile, the Lebanese President Emile Lahoud described the "Israeli" aggressions "as a night of "Israeli" criminality, stressing that "we have much of right strength, unity weapon and the Resistance".

Also, Lebanon has decided to present a complaint to the International court of Justice at the Hague to pressure "Israel" to compensate for the losses resulting from the air aggressions.

Lebanon defiant after the blitz…(1)
" Waves of "Israeli" warplanes terrorized Beirut with all-night mock air raids and pulverized selected infrastructure targets in bombing runs that ranged as far as the northern Metn power station of Bsalim and continued until first light. Beirut was plunged into darkness after the warplanes reduced its main electricity grid in Jamhour to a pile of blackened rubble in three sorties, followed by the equally devastating bombings of the Jiyeh, Zrarieh and Awali bridges and the Cellis cellular telephone company’s main relay station, also in Jiyeh".

"At daybreak, it became apparent that the damage to the electricity network in Beirut was, by all official estimates, even more colossal than that incurred in the 1996 Grapes of Wrath operation. But mercifully, the casualty toll was limited to eight killed and 62 wounded.

As morning broke, the violence began to abate, and "Israel's" outgoing government renewed threats to deal ever more severe blows to the infrastructure in the event of further cross-border Katyusha attacks.

Lebanon held an emergency Cabinet meeting under President Emile Lahoud and urged the international community to rein in "Israel". But it refrained from seeking an emergency UN Security Council meeting, again fearing this might open the way for altering Resolution 425 and to pressure Lebanon to provide "Israel" with security guarantees for an eventual withdrawal.

"Israeli" Chief-of-Staff Shaul Mofaz warned that if Hizbullah resumed its cross-border Katyusha attacks, “the targets are ready, the planes are armed and the pilots are on alert and their quality is known and we will strike back.”

"Hizbullah rejected the threats, insisting that it would strike whenever it deemed it necessary to do so.

Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, Hizbullah’s secretary-general, said: “The Zionists should understand that to avoid attacks on northern Palestine they should not attack civilians and the infrastructure and should adhere to the April Understanding".

“"Israel's" resorting to air raids and attacks on the infrastructure and civilians will not help in protecting settlers in the occupied northern Palestine, especially since the Zionists who were killed in Kiryat Shmona died after the "Israeli" bombing of the Jamhour power plant and not before,” Nasrallah said.

He said that the aim behind "Israel's" aggression was not to protect "Israeli" civilians but to give morale to their “defeated and humiliated” army".

Sayyed Nasrallah: Aggressions will not go unpunished…(2)
"Hizbullah's Secretary General his Eminence Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah issued a statement Friday night saying "the Zionist aggression against the Jamhour power substation and other power plants in Lebanon is a new series of the continuing Zionist violations against our country and people, and revels the real face of this ("Israeli") enemy who lately attempted to hide behind deceiving slogans that no one will buy."

"This enemy, his Eminence continued, will make us more determined to resist the "Israeli" occupation and hold to our legitimate right in defending our people and land.

No matter who the enemy's Prime Minister is, Netanyahu or Barak, he will not find in Lebanon, but a government, a Resistance, a people, an army, steadfastness and determination to expel the ("Israeli") enemy from our land unconditionally, Sayyed Nasrallah stated.

"He added that the new aggression (against the infrastructure) is just like the ones against Khorbet Selem and Qabrikha and will not go unpunished.

"The Zionist enemy's leaders know well that Lebanon and the Resistance will never underestimate defending our civilians and protecting the civil facilities and infrastructure, the secretary General noted, stressing that this is a solid pledge we made to ourselves and we will never hesitate our commitment to our Ummah's (community) interest and dignity".

IR killed two "Israelis" and wounded another…(3)
"The night before, two "Israelis" were killed in a Katyusha rocket attack by Hizbullah resistance fighters on the "Israeli" border city of Kiryat Shmonah. It was the third rocket salvo in eight hours as fighting on the border escalated, and "Israel" launched relentless raids on Lebanese civilian targets. According to Hizbullah's Secretary-General Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, "Israeli" casualties fell only after "Israel's" air raid on the Jamhour power plant killed five Lebanese. Some of the retaliatory Katyusha rockets launched by Hizbullah fell in the center of Kiryat Shmona and near the City Hall. One "Israeli" settler remains in serious condition at a northern "Israel" hospital. Hizbullah struck northern "Israel" in retaliation for "Israeli" attacks on Lebanese villagers, which had left six injured since Sunday, and destroyed schools and homes in southern Lebanon. An April cease-fire understanding bans attacks on and from civilian targets but permits Lebanese resistance fighters to launch operations against "Israeli" occupation troops."

President Lahoud: Unity & Resistance on our side…(4)
"Addressing the nation Friday, Lahoud admitted that Lebanon’s military capabilities were no match for "Israel", but that he counted on the resolve of the Lebanese to win this war".

“We are facing an enemy that is occupying our land, pilfering our water, violating our skies, destroying our property and refusing a peaceful solution. In the face of such a situation, we still have justice, unity and resistance on our side,” Lahoud said before the Cabinet session.

“It might be an uneven confrontation but it’s hurting "Israel" and it will continue to do so until the occupation comes to an end and justice is restored.

“The confrontation will hurt us because, until we recover our land, people will be killed and wounded. If we share the pain, the situation will become more bearable for us all. I urge every one of you, here and abroad, to participate in the rebuilding of what was destroyed,” he said. “Based on strength and perseverance and the instinct of survival, we will bear together the burden of this confrontation.”

"The Cabinet set up a special account at the Central Bank to receive donations from Lebanese at home and abroad in aid of the reconstruction effort".

Hoss: Resistance is a legal phenomenon…(5)
"International calls for restraint in the wake of "Israel's" air strikes were no reason to rein in the resistance, Prime Minister Salim Hoss said Friday".

“Resistance is a legal phenomenon in any country whose territories are occupied; this is why Lebanon has the right to resist the "Israelis" on its own land,” Hoss told an evening news conference at the Grand Serail.

Asked whether Hizbullah had been asked to stop launching Katyusha rockets in return for a de-escalation on the "Israeli" side, Hoss said that “Hizbullah is aware of its responsibilities and is acting accordingly.”

The premier said that Beirut would resort to the UN Security Council only when “there are no other means for solutions,” adding that the government would instead rely on the five-nation Monitoring Group, which is scheduled to convene Monday.

“We didn’t resort to the Security Council because we don’t expect much more than a resolution, and there is already one, which is Resolution 425. We’re afraid that if we resort to the Council, we’ll lose this resolution,” he said, noting that the Monitoring Group included members from the “decision-making countries,” namely the United States, France and Syria.

“Some of our friends would want us to distinguish between the position of Netanyahu and that of Barak, blaming the former and absolving the latter of any responsibility for what happened,” Hoss said. “In retort, we wonder what has Barak done to stop the aggression during the long hours of "Israel's" barbaric attacks against Lebanon.

“Material losses were immense,” he said. “The indirect economic damage is practically immeasurable, particularly in view of the fact that a large-scale attack took place at the beginning of an otherwise very promising summer (tourism) season.”

"He also cast doubt about reviving the peace process under Barak, despite his vow to withdraw troops from Lebanon within a year and resume talks with Syria. “Barak can’t be worse than Netanyahu when it comes to the peace process but we aren’t betting on him,” he said. “If this attack is a way for "Israel" to pave the way for negotiations, then we’re not optimistic.”

Lebanese Cabinets: "Israeli" must pay compensation for its aggression…(6)
"President Emile Lahoud opened the morning session by instructing ministers with responsibility for roads and electricity to repair bridges and return power to homes and businesses as soon as possible. He also ordered legal steps to submit an official request for compensation by "Israel". Information Minister Anwar Khalil said these would likely involve the International Court of Justice.

“This is very much necessary,” Khalil said, “since "Israel" has become accustomed to carrying out these repeated attacks on Lebanon without there being any financial deterrent.”

"Lebanon, he added, did not believe reports that Barak had not been consulted about the attacks, stressing that the aggression “lasted for hours … at the least, a condemnation should’ve been issued.” Beirut’s position, he continued, was that "Israeli" leaders were exploiting the transitional period to avoid direct responsibility for the aggression."

"Khalil said that ministers would report their emergency needs to the Higher Relief Committee, which is scheduled to meet Saturday morning, but stated that an official estimate of the damages would await the filing of detailed reports by concerned government departments.

"On the diplomatic front, he said that Lebanon’s ambassadors to the United States and the United Nations had been instructed to provide details on the attacks to their counterparts, Security Council members and UN secretary-general Kofi Annan.

"Asked about a reported inability to contact Satterfield, Khalil commented that “there was something that makes up for his absence, since there were continuous contacts last night and this morning by Prime Minister Hoss … to inform all countries concerned with the issue about the very dangerous situation, and not just the American ambassador.”

"The session began with a moment of silence for those killed in the attacks, and Lahoud asked that they be considered “martyrs killed in the line of national duty.”

Leaders appeal for support to rebuild wrecked infrastructure…(7)
"Political and religious officials across the country banded together to condemn "Israel's" raids on Lebanon and call for national unity in the face of aggression.

Vice-president of the Higher Shiite Council Sheikh Abdel-Amir Qabalan said “we reject statements of denunciation, and call on the international community to take bold and deterring steps against the enemy, if this community truly wants peace.”

“In particular, the U.S. administration, which mobilized the world against Yugoslavia and Iraq and other countries, forcing them to comply with international resolutions, must not permit double standards when it comes to international justice,” Qabalan said during Friday prayers in Bourj al-Barajneh.

"The National Decision Bloc headed by former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri, issued a statement calling on Arab countries to help Lebanon recover from damages resulting from the attacks on power stations and bridges. “As liberation is the only answer to occupation, so is the country’s recovery the only answer to the attack,” the statement said.

Shiite cleric Sayyed Mohammed Hussein Fadlallah decried “the media’s desire” to hold outgoing "Israeli" Premier Benjamin Netanyahu’s government fully responsible for the aggression.

“We don’t believe that Barak was distant from what took place, even if he hasn’t formed his government. Especially since there is an agreement between Labor and Likud to form a new government.”

“We can confirm that settlers in northern occupied Palestine will not be safe from the blows of the resistance ... since the resistance represents Lebanon’s popular army, and has the full right to respond with all means to defend its freedom and independence.”

Akkar MP Talal Merehbi, noting that "Israel" had been threatening to hit at Lebanon’s infrastructure, stated that the "Israelis" were retaliating against Jezzine’s return to the national fold.

“Such an attack was expected in the wake of the Sidon massacre two weeks ago,” he said, speaking after a meeting with Maronite Patriarch Cardinal Nasrallah Butros Sfeir.

Beirut MP Michel Pharaon condemned the attack and offered his condolences to the families of the martyrs, urging the government to immediately appeal to the United Nations Security Council.

In Akkar, MP Fawzi Hobeish condemned the “hideous attack,” which, he said, highlighted “"Israel's" terrorist policy.” He urged the UN to impose severe sanctions on "Israel" and compel it to pay compensation for the losses incurred by the country.
The MP said attempts to undermine national unity and cooperation with Syria were destined to fail. “No matter how violent the attack, we will never compromise on these two points,” he added.

The Baath, Communist and Syrian Social Nationalist parties issued a statement condemning the attacks after a meeting at the Baath party’s headquarters in Akkar.

“We urge the Lebanese people to stand united in front of "Israel's" attempt to the country’s stability,” the statement read.

WAKIM BLAMES US FOR "ISRAELI" ATTACKS…(8)
" Deputy Najah Wakim has accused the United States of granting "Israel" a green light to carry out its onslaught against Lebanon. He said the US Charge d'affaire in Beirut, David Hale, blamed Hizbullah for the escalation in fighting, and should be sent back to Washington. He also called for restricting the movement of the US Ambassador David Satterfield".

EU URGES "ISRAEL" TO STOP BOMBING Lebanon…(9)
"The European Union called on "Israel" to stop bombing Lebanon and urged both sides to show restraint. The EU envoy to the Middle East, Miguel Angel Moratinos informed "Israel" on behalf of the European Union to stop the bombing. Moratinos also called Lebanese Prime Minister Selim al-Hoss and Uri Lubrani, "Israel's" chief policy maker for Lebanon, to appeal for restraint at a time when a revival of Middle East peacemaking appeared to be close".

LEBANON SENDS FRANCE A LETTER ON "ISRAELI" ATROCITIES…(10)
"Prime Minister Selim Hoss handed the French Ambassador to Lebanon Danielle Joinneau a letter addressed to the French government explaining "Israel's" latest attacks on Lebanon. The French foreign ministry had expressed grave concern over the "Israeli" raids calling them a dangerous escalation of the conflict ".

Beirut’s defiance and anger at "Israeli" blitz ­ ‘This is just military and economic terrorism’…(11)
"Most people in Beirut Friday said they felt that the "Israeli" attack on the country’s infrastructure was a blow to the already lagging economy and to the forthcoming summer tourist season.

“The "Israelis" always carry out their large-scale attacks either on the eve of the tourist season or right at the beginning,” said Rabih Tabbarah, 26, who runs a clothing store on Hamra, recalling the April 1996 “Grapes of Wrath” operation.

“They’re paralyzing the country when our economy is already languishing,” Tabbarah said. “Any tourists thinking of coming to the country have probably changed their minds. This is just military and economic terrorism.”

Nader Saab, 43, who runs a luggage store in Hamra, also believed that the goal of the "Israeli" attack was to cripple the Lebanese economy.

“The "Israelis" don’t want to see Lebanese reconstruction go forward.” Saab said. “They want to see us pay billions of dollars to rebuild our bridges and restore our electricity and never have the chance to move forward.”

Khalil Omar, 39, said that "Israel" views Lebanon as one of its main competitors in the tourism industry in the Middle East and it is, therefore, in "Israel's" interest to discourage tourism in Lebanon.

“The "Israelis" see that we can attract international events like Miss Europe and Pavarotti and they don’t like it,” he said.

Mazen Khattab, 26, a Jordanian who lived in Lebanon from 1991 to 1997, said "Israel" uses Hizbullah as an excuse to attack the country’s infrastructure.

Massoud Akbarian, 29, tour manager of an Iranian travel agency, arrived in Lebanon early on Thursday with a group of tourists. He said that the "Israeli" attack was bound to hurt the tourist industry.

“The bombs are obviously not a tourist attraction. Tourists get scared when they hear such noises,” he said.

But a handful of people ­ Lebanese who live abroad and foreigners visiting the country ­ said that the attack did not succeed in scaring them out of Lebanon and many expressed support for the resistance.

Riad Zahr, 29, a Lebanese-American who runs a pharmacy in Michigan and is in Beirut visiting family, said that despite the brutality of the "Israeli" attack, the resistance should continue fighting.

“I think it’s terrible but the resistance has to go on doing what it’s doing so that we don’t lose the south,” Zahr said. “Everybody I know in America supports the resistance, even though they’re branded terrorists by the media. America fought for its independence from the British just as Hizbullah is fighting against "Israeli" occupation.”

“Ever since the Qana massacre, people in the United States are more aware that "Israel" is illegally occupying Lebanon. My Senator, Spencer Abraham, is Lebanese, and he helps promote the Lebanese cause,” Zahr added.

Salim Murr, 46, is a Lebanese engineer who has lived in California since he was 20 years old.

“It’s the first time I’ve been to Beirut in 20 years,” Murr said. “I’m visiting my parents and I’m not going to leave earlier than scheduled.”

Gorge Collina, 32, an Argentinian vacationing in Lebanon, admitted that he was frightened during the attack. But the “incident,” as he called it, will also not affect the duration of his stay.

“I thought the bombs were falling in Hamra but when I ran back to the hotel, the concierge told me not to worry because it was far away,” he said.

“Excluding this incident, I’m really enjoying my stay here,” he added.

Ghassan Ammar, 18, said that Lebanon’s reaction to the attacks was weak.

“It should have been much stronger. Sending memos to the UN Security Council is not enough,” he said. “At a time when Arabs should be uniting against "Israel", some are collaborating with the enemy and signing useless peace treaties. We should sign peace treaties only after each Arab country returns to its original boundaries.”

Hassan Ftouni, 47, a teacher at the Lebanese University, was disappointed with the response of "Israeli" prime minister-elect, Ehud Barak.

“We were expecting Barak to be better than this but it seems as though he’s just the same as the outgoing prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu,” he said.

Jameeleh Haddad, 57, spoke with tears in her eyes: “We’re already suffering without the bombing so how do you expect us to feel after the bombing?” she asked. “I woke up startled four times last night and my heart almost stopped.”

Firefighter: ‘The "Israelis" knew we were in there’…(12)
"Blackened machinery, smoke, shattered glass and fallen cement were the only signs left of the raging inferno that engulfed the Jamhour power plant the night before. A few civil-defense personnel walked around in a haze".

“This is where a man burned to death,” a man said as he pointed to a huge converter that was still smoking. “And this is where another also met his fate.”

He had just finished picking up the dismembered parts of a colleague. Only a torn fireman’s jacket on the ground bore testimony to the firemen who had given their lives the night before. Early Friday morning, two blackened bodies were recovered.

Those who managed to escape the blaze were taken to nearby hospitals. “The "Israelis" knew we were in there,” said Danny Abu Daher, 22, as he lay bandaged in his bed at Sacre Coeur Hospital. “They’d already bombed the place twice. Like firefighters in their own country, we were only there to put it out and protect people. We don’t even carry weapons. Why do this to us?”

Abu Daher and his team were preparing to hose down the converters when the missile struck. “There was a sudden explosion and I was thrown to the side, my clothes just flew off,” he recalled. “I looked up to see two of my friends thrown into the fire. I started running, and then I saw Daniel just standing in the middle of everything in shock.”

Daniel Habib, 26, lay in the next bed. “Everything just stopped,” he said. “I felt my back burning but I didn’t know if it was or not. I couldn’t move. It was like I was frozen.”

Abu Daher hauled him to an ambulance. Habib’s back, it turned out, was indeed on fire.

In the next room, Michel Meshreq, 23, shook his head. “I don’t remember anything,” he said. “The last thing I remember doing is preparing to water down the area. I saw a light and remember running. The next thing I knew I was in hospital.”

Hilal Kheireddine, 24, was silent, a piece of shrapnel lodged in his vocal cords.

“Please save my husband, oh please do something,” cried Therese Boutros. “He’s sacrificed so much to save others. I beg you, help him now.” Her husband Kamel, 45, and 51-year-old Anwar Moughabbat ­ the squad leaders ­ remain comatose. Boutros was to pick up his daughter, who he hasn’t seen in three years, from the airport that afternoon.

All the wounded were visited earlier in the morning by President Emile Lahoud.

Meanwhile, officials had just informed a mother in Ras al-Nabaa that her only son, Wissam Shaaban, had burned to death.
A disheveled Badira Shaaban ran into the street. “My son, my son,” she screamed as she ran toward the mosque where funeral prayers were underway. “I want to see him. Oh, God, how could you do this? He’s only 22 years old. It’s too early.”

Relatives tried to hold her back, but she broke away and ran after civil-defense ambulances. “May God strike down the "Israelis",” she cried.

Despite several attempts at restraining her, Shaaban made her way through the crowd to the Basta cemetery.

“I want to see him, I want to see my baby’s face,” she continued to yell as chants of “Allahu Akbar” rose from the funeral procession made up of firemen carrying the coffins of her son and another civil-defense member, 49-year-old Talal Diyya.

But since Wissam’s face was burned beyond recognition, her request was refused.

"Israeli" Aggressions…(13)
The IR released a communiqué in which it reported the following aggressions:
00:25, the "Israeli" warplanes staged three sorties into Qaissieh Valley firing more than four air-to-ground rockets.
Between 00:29 and 00:41, the "Israeli" jets launched three air raids into the perimeters of Majdal Selem town.
At 00:42 and 1:27, the "Israeli" fighter-bombers raided into Qaissieh Valley.
1:55, Mount Abou Rkab was bombarded by twenty five 155mm missiles.
At 2:13 and 2:30, the "Israeli" warplanes staged two sorties into the power station of Bsalim.
At 2:23 and 2:25, the "Israeli" jets launched three raids into Meshref area near Damour town.
Between 3:58 and 4:20, the "Israeli" fighter-bombers staged nine sorties into Zarout Hill near the power plant of Jiyeh targeting the Cellis Cellular phone company’s relay station.
6:25, four 155mm missiles struck the area between Jibal El-Botom and Chaitieh villages.
7:10, three 155mm missiles fell on north of Zibqeen village and three others on north of Tibnine.
7:15, Qaissieh Valley was bombarded by fourteen 155mm missiles.
10:30, the northeast of Zibqeen came under several 155mm missiles.