Daily Report  

Introduction
The plan drafted by the “Israeli” Army for the purpose of withdrawing from South Lebanon revealed that certain key areas would be kept under the “Israeli” military control following a pullback.

However, thirteen Lebanese, including a teenager and elderly woman, were liberated yesterday from the notorious Khiam detention center in the “Israeli”-occupied zone in South Lebanon. They were released hours before a sit-in was held to demand the freedom of teachers arrested in the detention center.

“Israeli” plan calls for continued presence even after withdrawal…(1)
“The “Israeli” Army’s plan for withdrawing from south Lebanon ­ endorsed by Prime Minister Ehud Barak last week ­ has re-awakened the belief that certain key areas could be kept under “Israeli” military control following a pullback.

“According to reports from the Jewish state, at the heart of the withdrawal plan is the “Israelis”’ ability to retain sweeping surveillance over the south, enabling them to observe any hostile movement without having to deploy troops inside Lebanon.

“To achieve this end, the “Israelis” can be expected to argue strenuously for the retention of at least three of the five areas where it has pushed the border fence northward, capturing the high ground. The “Israelis” call these 
border incursions “technical fences.” The UN describes them as “Permanent Violations” of the 1949 Armistice Agreement. “They include the southern end of Al-Marj, the summit of the hills between Odaisseh and Houla overlooking the central sector, and the ridges near Rmeish and Yarin in the western sector. A fifth incursion in the Jabal Rbaa Teben would presumably have to be evacuated in the event of a peace treaty with Syria as it backs onto the occupied Golan Heights.

Relinquishing the incursion zones would not seriously effect “Israel’s” intelligence-gathering capabilities ­ unmanned reconnaissance planes and barrage balloons equipped with TV cameras would overcome the topographical difficulties. Perhaps the greater problem for the “Israelis” is the prospect of the Lebanese possessing a geographical advantage, because much of the border topography favors Lebanon. If the zone between Odaisseh and Meis al-Jabal were returned, the “Israelis” would face the unpalatable prospect of anyone in Lebanon being able to cast their gaze over the whole of northern Galilee, including the settlements of Misgavam, Kafar Giladi and Kiryat Shmona.

There is no apparent legal justification for the “Israelis” to keep the incursion zones ­ the border is clearly marked and agreed upon by both countries.

Furthermore, the presence of “Israeli” troops ­ albeit only a handful of monitors ­ on Lebanese soil would provide

“Hizbullah with the justification to continue launching attacks.

“According to the reports, the withdrawal plan ­ which is contingent on an agreement with Syria ­ would cost about $120 million, which the “Israeli” Army will demand as a supplement to its budget. The plan envisages the strengthening of existing border posts and fences and the construction of patrol roads and watchtowers. “Israeli” settlements close to the border would be protected in the same way as those in the West Bank.

“Outposts in the zone will be blown up or handed to the South Lebanon Army* militia ­ another indicator that the “Israelis” have not ruled out the possibility of leaving the SLA behind as a buffer force.

“The “Israeli” Army is eager to begin the infrastructure work required by the plan but is unable to given the uncertainty engendered by the apparent lack of talks between “Israel” and Syria.

The “Israelis” are also working on a second plan which would allow the troops to withdraw unilaterally without a deal with Syria. This option was backed on Monday by “Israel’s” tourism minister, Amnon Shahak, who said there was no need to wait until next July to stage a withdrawal.

“Ehud Barak committed himself to withdrawing … by July, but it isn’t a sacred date and if we can do it before there is no reason to wait,” Shahak, the “Israeli” military’s former chief of staff, told “Israel” Radio. “I don’t think we have to redeploy our troops today, but we must make the necessary preparations.”

He said that he believed Damascus wanted “Israel” to remain in Lebanon while there was no agreement for an “Israeli” pullout from the Golan.

“It’s obvious that Syria would be embarrassed by a unilateral “Israeli” withdrawal from Lebanon, which would raise the issue of the Syrian presence in the country,” he said.

Detainees welcomed by Lahoud

President condemns “Israelis”’ bellicose behavior…(2)
“President Emile Lahoud said on Monday the detention of Lebanese civilians by “Israel” and its proxy militia coupled with the almost daily aggression on the south contradicted the promises of peace voiced by Ehud Barak, the “Israeli” premier.

Lahoud spoke as he welcomed home 13 detainees freed by the South Lebanon Army militia from Khiam on Monday. They included a teenager who was held for more than two years.

“The detention of civilians is a flagrant violation of international law and further proof of “Israel’s” indifference toward human values,” Lahoud said upon hearing news of the release. “Daily violence and the continued detention of civilians do not reflect peaceful intentions.”

Lahoud said that freeing the detainees and reuniting them with their families was a key priority, adding that no Lebanese can rest “if a compatriot of his is being denied freedom.”

According to the Follow Up Committee for the Support of Lebanese Detainees in “Israeli” Prisons the inmates from Khiam were freed after French President Jacques Chirac directly intervened with Barak.

Those freed had been imprisoned for two years or more without trial. They were permitted to return to their homes inside the occupied zone.

“But two of them, Mustafa Jawad Tawbe, 40, and his son Ali, 16, opted to leave for the liberated areas.

Mustafa was admitted to the Hammoud hospital in Sidon, complaining of high blood pressure and chest pains. The father and son were abducted over two years ago.

Tawbe’s wife, Zeinab Nasser, could not conceal her delight on seeing her husband and son.

“I will never forget that rainy day when they dragged my husband out of our house 25 months ago,” she said.
Nasser embraced Ali while recounting her husband’s arrest by the SLA from their house in Arnoun. She was only allowed to see Ali through a barbed wire fence in the Khiam camp on visiting days.

“They took Mustafa first and returned four days later to take Ali, pretending that his father wanted to see him,” she said.

After four days, the SLA returned and took her to Khiam where she spent 45 days.

“I’m delighted at my husband and son’s release but I’m worried about my husband’s medical condition,” she said.

“Ali said he was permitted to see his father only once every three months in the prison. He added that he had been subjected to torture while incarcerated. The other released detainees are Nabil Jumaa, Elias Nasrallah, Tanios Assaf, Ali Alayyan, Mansour Mansour, Majida Monzer, Abdeh Malkani, Ahmad Hammoud, Moussa Ghosn, Monzer Diab and Ali Issa. All had been arrested between 1997 and 1999. Last May, the “Israelis” allowed 16 detainees to be released. Khiam still holds 148 detainees.

“Meanwhile, the follow up committee, which lobbies for the release of all detainees, marked “the Day of the Detained Teacher” with a sit-in at UN House in Beirut.

“A statement called on UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan to secure the release of all teachers and students being detained by “Israel” without trial. “We urge you to secure the release of all teachers, students, sick or injured, juveniles and elderly and to send an international inspection team inside Khiam,” they said.

“The detainees undergo torture and are subjected to all types of oppressive actions without even being allowed a defense lawyer or a decent trial,” the statement said.

“The group complained that 51 Lebanese were also being held as hostages in prisons inside “Israel””.

“Israeli” Aggressions…(3)
The “Israeli” occupation forces launched the following aggressions:
Between 4:15 and 6:00, Qaissieh Valley was shelled by nine 155mm missiles.
5:30, a volley of 12.7mm heavy machine gun bullets struck west of Baraasheit.
5:35, seven 155mm missiles slammed into Mount Zaatar.
5:50, east of Baraasheit was targeted by four smoke shells, whereas the surroundings of Baraasheit compound exposed to heavy machine gun fire.
5:55, the outskirts of Majdal Zoun came under twenty 81mm rounds, four 155mm missiles and a barrage of heavy machine gun bullets.
9:30, two rounds hit Majdal Zoun.
Between 10:20 and 11:35, Mount Sojod and Tasseh Well watercourse were bombarded by thirty nine of various kinds of missiles.
13:55, the west of Baraasheit was targeted by a volley of 12.7mm heavy machine gun bullets.
At 14:00 and 14:17, the “Israeli”-fighter bombers dropped several air-to-ground rockets.
18:35, eight tank rounds struck Mount Sojod, whereas the surroundings of Baraasheit town exposed to a barrage of 12.7mm heavy machine rounds.
18:40, the surroundings of Baraasheit compound exposed to a volley of 12.7mm heavy machine gun rounds struck the surroundings of Bayada outpost whereas two 81mm flare shells were fired overhead.
20:55, the surroundings of Haddatha compound came under 12.7mm heavy machine gun fire.
21:40, six 155mm missiles slammed into the peripheries of Yater.
21:45, Mariameen area was targeted by four 155mm missiles, whereas the surroundings of Hamra and Bayada positions exposed to 12.7mm heavy machine gun fire.
23:05, the outskirts of Majdal Zoun came under a volley of 12.7mm heavy machine gun bullets.
23:40, the surroundings of Mashaaroun outpost exposed heavy machine gun fire.
23:55, three 81mm rounds landed Habboush River Watercourse.

Military Operations…(4)
The IR team of martyrs Ali Fouani and Hussein Qassir staged, at 9:00, a swift attack at Radar position with the rocket-propelled grenades. Two vehicles were seen burning.

In the meantime, the IR unit of martyrs Nimr Ftouni and Karim Atwi in the Artillery Reinforcement Unit (ARU) was rushing upon the same position causing great damage.

One hour later, the IR militants spotted an “Israeli” infantry force at Kassaret Al-Oroush compound.

Immediately afterwards, the IR squad of martyrs Hamed Hassan Kamal and Ali Fawaz fell upon it scoring direct and certain hits.

Earlier, the Lebanese Resistance Brigades (LRB) fighters staged, at 5:40, an attack at the “Israeli” post of Dabsheh. Using the artillery shells, the fighters were able to chalk up direct and accurate goals.

Also, the (LRB) fighters targeted, at 6:35, Beaufort Castle with the artillery shells scoring definite goals.

For its part, Amal Movement targeted, at 5:55, Hardoun outpost with the mortars and Shamaa position with the rocket-propelled grenades.