February Monday 1 -1999:
 
"Israeli" farmers reap benefits of our soil… (1)
"The prospects of Israel returning the soil it stole from Lebanon last October was always remote. But that likelihood has faded to near impossibility now that "Israeli" farmers have planted saplings in the stolen earth".

"The picture above shows part of the terraces constructed from the distinctive dark red soil of the fertile al-Marj Valley, just north of the border. In the foreground is the border and in the background lies the "Israeli" settlement of Kefar Giladi".

"Hundreds of tonnes of soil were stolen by "Israeli" businessmen last October and trucked 4 kilometers south of the border for the benefit of the farmers of northern Galilee. The terraces are clearly visible from the border road running between Kfar Kila and Adaisseh".

"The "Israeli" government initially denied soil was being stolen after The Daily Star first broke the story in October. The theft, however, provoked a diplomatic uproar, forcing Israel to admit soil was being taken illegally and to stop the plunder".

"The excavation site, 1 kilometer north of the border, was abandoned in November and is now filled with rainwater".

1- The Daily Star, 1-2-1999

  February Tuesday 2 -1999:
 
Monthly report on "Israeli" occupation's aggressions on Lebanon in January 1999… (1)
"There were 117 "Israeli" ground, air, and sea aggressions on more than 100 Lebanese areas and districts during January 1999".

"Air aggressions constituted 34.9% of the gross aggressions (31.6% in December 1998).
During this Month, occupation forces staged another raid near the site of the massacre perpetrated by ""Israel"" last month in the town of Janta, ""Israel"" claimed that the slaughter which took the lives of a mother and her six children was the result of a "pilot's error" as he used old photos".

"This month's raid targeted the same area and hit once again civilian sites, wounding eight civilians. They are Hamda Shahadeh Ayoub, 65, Sarah Ahmed Ayoub, 5, Hamda Naef Haikal Ayoub, 67, Tohfa Ayoub, 40, Amal Ahmed Ayoub, 5, Shojoun Ahmed Ayoub, Zeinab Ayoub, 2, and Syrian citizen Jinan Hosam Bakier, 20".

""Israeli" warplanes also raided the antenna of the Radio of the Oppressed near the town of Baalbek.

Scores of schoolchildren narrowly escaped death as they were leaving school when the raids took place."

"On Jan. 11, 1999, occupation forces raided the Litani River banks, Mount Sojod woods and Mazraat Oqmata. On Jan. 13, they fired missiles on Wadi Zillaya, Tomat Neha, a Wadi between Jbal al-Botom, Yater, Lwaizeh Hilltops, and the woods of Mount al-Rafieh, and on Jan. 15, they raided the Jbal al-Botom town.

On the other hand, raking the town of Meimes by heavy machine-gun fire on Jan. 1, hit a BMW car. The driver, Imad Shamel Maddah, Dany Saeed Darbieh, and Hussan Noaman Abu Saeed were seriously injured when the car hit an olive tree and turned upside down. Eleven days later, Abu Saeed died of his wounds.

On Jan. 8, combing of the Markaba woods resulted in the Martyrdom of Mahmoud Sharif Atwi, 60. The occupation tried to acquit itself of the crime claiming that Atwi was martyred during exchanged shelling with the resistance. The martyr had 12 children, including three who had been expelled by the occupation forces for rejecting to cooperate with them.

"Israeli" gunboats, on Jan. 6, intercepted fishermen's boats near the Mansouri shore. Fishermen brothers Hussein and Ahmed Taher were abducted by the occupation forces. They were held, questioned and tortured for two hours.

"On Jan. 29, an "Israeli" bomb made to look like a rock exploded at the Habboush-Arab Salim road.

Concerning "Israeli" practices in the occupied zone, enemy forces on Jan, 7, expelled 25 people from the occupied town of Shibaa. The expelled, most of whom from the Nabha family, included elderly, children and women. "

The expulsion evoked condemnations and demands that "Israeli" violations of the April Understanding's spirit must be stopped.

"Moreover, occupation forces detained two men from the Nabha family on charges of assassinating agent Ghassan Daher. The "Israeli" step was viewed as an attempt to sow seeds of unrest among the town's residents in order to screen the suppressive measures committed against the Shibaa residents.
The occupation forces claimed that during the investigation with the two detainees, they confessed killing the agent. However, a Shibaa residents' delegation refuted the claims made by the occupation officers and their collaborators as "an attempt to create turmoil in the town".

The residents demanded to meet the detained brothers who foiled the "Israeli" plot that aimed to create rift between the families of Nabha and Daher. They told the delegation that the claims of the "Israeli" spy service were baseless, denying killing Daher."

"On Jan. 10, an "Israeli" occupation force stormed into Shibaa, although the "Israelis" had lifted the blockade which they imposed on the town for 2 weeks. The enemy troops detained Mahmoud Mostafa Dallah, 40, a shepherd. He was released later.

On Jan. 13, the occupation troops detained Rida Hassan al-Taweel of Kfarkila, and on Jan. 28, Farid Jerjes Karam. They were both taken to the notorious al-Khiam detention center.
On jan 7, an "Israeli" motorized force accompanied by 3 bulldozers, 30 infantry troops, and a number of "Israeli" intelligence elements razed 15 houses in the town of Arnoun.

""Israel"" acknowledged the act of demolition, but an "Israeli" spokesperson claimed that Lahd militiamen razed the houses "which had been used by groups that plant bombs against "Israeli" army and militia patrols."

"Enemy leaders conducted a few tours in the occupied zone. On Jan. 25, former "Israeli" war minister Yitzhak Mordechai, along with a number of "Israeli" senior officers, inspected the international borders with Lebanon. He met the chief of the proxy militia, Antoine Lahd, near the Motulleh colony.

Moreover, "Israeli" chief of staff Shaul Mofaz, accompanied by the "Israeli" liaison unit commander Erez Gorestein, toured the occupation's positions in Marjayoun".

"On Jan. 29, "Israeli" war minister Moshe Arens and his chief of staff met agent Antoine Lahd and military commanders in one of the "Israeli" outposts in occupied northern Palestine."

"On the other hand, occupation forces fortified a number of their outposts in Tallet Zoghle, Ain Qinia, Shwayya, and Mount al-Rihan. They also added another heavy artillery emplacement in the northern part of the al-Shraifeh Hilltop outpost. The occupation created a permanent center in the eastern part of the Kawkaba outpost, along with the proxy militia forces, to monitor individual movements, tap and jam communication as the "Israeli" installed on Jan. 26, a radar antenna linked with electronic devices and several sophisticated antennas."

"These aggressions resulted in the martyrdom of two civilians, wounding ten others, detaining 7, expelling 25 from the town of Shibaa, along with demolishing 15 houses, damaging 19 houses, 7 cars, a school in the town of Zillaya besides three power stations".

"Israel's" agents impose a conscription campaign
"The proxy militia have been launching a large-scale conscription campaign. Over the last few days, collaborators have been storming into houses in the occupied zone overnight detaining 15-year-old boys under the pretext of "escaping conscription".

"Fathers are forced to join the militia in place of any son who is outside the occupied zone", the reports said.

"Moreover, "Israeli" occupation's spy service has been surveying the villages and residents of the occupied zone for over a week".

"Residents are forced to fill in forms including the names of the males in the family, the number of family members, those who are outside the zone, and the land owned by the family".

"Furthermore, reports said the occupation forces have been bulldozing a patch of land near the town of Yaroun. "Israeli" bulldozers and trucks were seen loaded with rocks and barbed wires".
"The trucks have been unloading unidentified material in the area, eye witnesses said.

On the other hand, the occupation forces today (yesterday) expelled Mrs Jihad Nassar from her hometown of Shibaa. Nassar, 40, was led to the Kfartibneet crossing, where she was ordered to leave the occupied zone and never to return"… (2)

"Meanwhile, the residents of Talloussa have been complaining of a harsh crackdown by the occupation, according to UN and security sources".

"The population of around 200 has to cope with travel restrictions enforced by the South Lebanon Army’s* intelligence wing, as well as the hazard posed by four unexploded roadside bombs lying on the outskirts of the village. The impoverished residents are also concerned at the failing health of their cattle, and one villager is still awaiting $6,700 compensation for his pick-up truck which was destroyed in December by two "Israeli" Merkava tanks."

"Talloussa, perched above Wadi Salouqi in the central sector of the zone facing Majdal Silm, often finds itself in the middle of fierce fighting between the resistance and the occupation forces.
The villagers “stressed that life is very difficult at the moment and they are living in fear,” the UN source said.

"Movements have been restricted after the SLA’s General Security Service warned residents not to travel at night in a single car. In the event of an emergency, they must use two cars or risk being shot at"… (3)

1- Al-Manar TV, 1-2-1999.
2- Al-Manar TV, 1-2-1999.
3- The Daily Star, 2-2-1999.

  February Saturday 6 -1999:

"Israeli" agents bid to abduct ISF member fails… (1)
"Militiamen of the South Lebanon Army* attacked a police station in the Jezzine region overnight in a failed bid to abduct a
member of the Internal Security Forces whom they accuse of helping a relative defect from the SLA".

"The head of the police station, Sergeant Major George Qazzi, told The Daily Star in a telephone interview Friday that more
than 25 militiamen, led by the head of the 20th SLA regiment, Joseph Karam, known as Allouche, tried to storm the station overnight Thursday".

“They laid siege to the station at a time when we had only three policemen and insulted me. Allouche asked me to hand him Adjudant Basil Lebbos, who is from the neighboring village of Ain al-Mir. He accused Adjudant Lebbos of helping his nephew, Elie Lebbos, defect from the SLA to the liberated territory,” Sergeant Major Qazzi said.

“But we refused and forbade the SLA gunmen from entering the station, despite his threats to storm it. They posted several armored vehicles around the station to try to frighten us and blocked us in for two hours.”

Sergeant Major Qazzi said the force withdrew after failing to disarm the police.

“Allouche approached me and ordered me to surrender our weapons, but I refused. When he found out that he could not do anything, he withdrew with his men,” Sergeant Major Qazzi said.

Eight months ago, Allouche abducted Adjudant Lebbos after shooting him in the leg. But the policeman escaped".
 

1- The Daily Star, 6-2-1999.
* It is an "Israeli" nomination we absolutely reject for it contradicts with Lebanon's independence and sovereignty. This army is not but an "Israeli" agent working for realizing "Israel's" goals in Lebanon. 

  February Wednesday 10 -1999:

Children cling to life after "Israeli" assault… (1)
"Zeinab Maaz, 8, was lying prone in her Geitawi Hospital bed swathed in gauze, only her eyes and mouth uncovered."
"Nearby, her brother Abbas, 2, his little face swollen, his body covered in bandages, fretted for his absent mother."
Zeinab and Abbas are two of the three children who were severely burned when "Israeli" soldiers bombarded Majdal Silm with phosphorous and shrapnel shells Saturday. The children are still in critical condition".

"Zeinab, Abbas, and their older brother Mohammed, 10, were admitted to the Center for Intensive Burns at Geitawi Hospital Saturday after Tibnine Hospital and Sidon’s Hammoud Hospital were unable to cope with the extent of their wounds".
"The children were visiting their grandmother, Fatima Maaz ­ who was also wounded in the attack ­ when a mortar shell ripped through the living room, showering phosphorous over the house and its occupants".

"The "Israeli"s" and their South Lebanon Army proxies regularly use shells filled with white phosphorous in the south. Although the weapons are designed to produce an immediate smoke screen to provide cover for troops, the "Israeli"s" frequently use them against personnel. The phosphorous ignites spontaneously on contact with air and is very difficult to douse".

"Mohammed, who was in the kitchen at the time of the attack and sustained the lightest wounds, was discharged from hospital Sunday. But Zeinab and Abbas remain there, struggling for their lives".

"Dr. Georges Ghanimeh, the burns specialist who is treating the children, told The Daily Star that their condition was grim. “They’re suffering from deep third-degree burns and their situation is critical,” he said.

"Jamileh Maaz, the children’s mother, has not been allowed to be with them due to the risk of infection. “I can only look at them through the window, even though the baby’s crying for me to be near him,” she said.

"She said she had been kept in the dark about the condition of her children and all she can do is wait.

She had been tending cattle with her husband in fields near Majdal Silm when the mortar attack occurred. They learned of their children’s wounds later."

“My husband and I came here by taxi yesterday after we found out where they had taken our children,” she said.

"Mrs. Maaz is worried that her daughter may be scarred for life. “Zeinab opened one eye and looked at me earlier,” she said. “But she can’t speak, she can only murmur and nod. She’s in a lot of pain.”

She also fears for her children’s eyesight and hearing. “Phosphorous bombs burn, their smoke blinds and suffocates,” said Mrs. Maaz who is well versed in the different types of shells used by the "Israeli"s" and the havoc they wreak".

"Majdal Silm is on the edge of the central sector of the occupation zone and the surroundings area is shelled by the "Israeli"s" on an almost daily basis. But Saturday’s bombardment was the first time the center of the village had been hit since the April war in 1996"

"Like many others, Mrs. Maaz has adopted a fatalistic attitude to help her cope with living in a war zone. Despite the fact that three of her six children have been wounded and two of them lie battling against death, she refuses to succumb to self-pity"
“Whatever happens to a person in life is written by God,” she said. “All I’m asking for is that with God’s will, my children will get better.”

1- The Daily Star, 9-2-1999.

  February Thurday 11 -1999:

Kfarfalous crossing to be opened Saturday, collaborators' practices against residents… (1)
"The "Israeli" proxy militia is still closing the eastern gate of the Kfarfalous-Jezzine crossing before cars. Only pedestrians can cross the gate which links liberated areas to those occupied by the "Israeli" enemy".

"Informed sources quoted Jezzine circles as saying the crossing will be reopened on Saturday.
This, the Jezzine circles said, was announced by the chief of the proxy militia agent Antoine Lahd who came to Jezzine yesterday afternoon following a series of complaints by the Jezzinites against the so-called chief of the 20th Brigade in the collaborator militia.

Jezzinites said agent Joseph Karam has been insulting residents violating houses under the pretext of looking for young man who had "fled conscription".

Agent Karam's elements last night detained three militiamen who would not man the Annan outpost.
The three militiamen returned to the town following the militia's retreat towards the outpost of Roum. "They are Habib Martinos, his son George, and Milad Iskandar. They were detained in Jezzine and taken to its barracks for questioning".

1-Al-Manar TV, 10-2-1999.

  February Saturday 13 -1999:

"The five-nation Monitoring Group condemned "Israel" Friday, saying it violated the 1996 cease-fire agreement by targeting civilians".

"In a statement, the group deplored attacks by both sides, including two ""Israeli"" artillery attacks of the village of Majdal Silm in which six Lebanese civilians were wounded.

Four victims, three of them children, sustained serious burns from ""Israeli"" phosphorus shells.
Meeting Thursday and Friday at Unifil headquarters in Naqoura, the group ­ which comprises Lebanon, Syria, France, the United States and "Israel" ­ discussed six Lebanese complaints and seven filed by "Israel"".

"In addition to the two filed over the shelling of Majdal Silm, the Lebanese complaints included two protests concerning the shelling by ""Israeli"" forces and its allied militia ­ the South Lebanon Army ­ of the village of Majdal Zoun, one on an attack against Haddatha and another concerning the shelling of Kfar Roummane".

"The group acknowledged six ""Israeli"" complaints, including three over last month’s shelling of the village of Rihan in which a house was damaged and 50 goats killed."

"But a security source said the group did not accuse any party of shelling the ""Israeli"" settlement of Kiryat Shmona, because the "Israelis" did not present evidence to support their claims".

“The Monitoring Group acknowledged that on Feb. 8, 1999, one anti-aircraft round impacted in Kiryat Shmona. The ""Israeli"" delegate stated that this was a violation of the understanding. The Lebanese delegate said that Lebanon had no information that such an attack had occurred on that date,” the group said.

"The group urged all concerned parties to take urgent measures to ensure that military operations are carried out in strict conformity with the provisions of the understanding".

1-

  February Monday 15 -1999:

Cluster bomb victim Ahmad buried on his sixth birthday… (1)
"A boy who died Friday of wounds sustained when a cluster bomb exploded while he was on a picnic with his parents near Nabatieh was buried Saturday, on what would have been his sixth birthday.

Ahmed Raed Mouqalled and another child, Mahmoud Hussein Hamadi, aged two, were wounded when the cluster bomb, believed to date back to the 16-day "Israeli" onslaught against Lebanon in April 1996, exploded. Ahmad, whose stomach and right leg were torn apart, died of his wounds at al-Raai Hospital in Sidon"

"Army experts found two other cluster bombs in the same area Saturday and detonated them, police said. They also cordoned off the area pending a further search for unexploded devices. Cluster bombs are frequently used by "Israeli" troops in their attacks against Lebanese targets despite their ban in international covenants signed by the Jewish state".

"Mahmoud’s six-year-old brother, Ali, was with the two children at the time of the explosion but managed to escape unscathed because he ran as soon as he saw smoke emanate from the bomb just before it exploded".

"Despite being in a stable condition after undergoing surgery to remove shrapnel from his head and body, Mahmoud remains in danger, said intensive care doctor Bassema Ghader at al-Raai Hospital. He is still being given tranquilizers for his pain and may have to undergo further surgery, she added. At Ahmed’s kindergarten classroom at the Evangelical School, lessons were suspended for a day allowing the slain boy’s classmates to attend his funeral. Pointing to Ahmed’s picture on the wall, his teacher, Amal, said: “I still cannot imagine that Thursday he was with us and today he is gone.”
"Ahmed’s funeral, which coincided with his sixth birthday, was attended by dozens of students who carried wreaths".

"His father Raed, the press attaché of the Shaqif social club near Nabatieh, collapsed behind the coffin and was heard asking: “What am I supposed to tell your brother when I return home without you?”

The funeral was attended by Bint Jbeil MP Ayoub Humayed and Nabatieh MPs Mohammed Raad and Abdel-Latif Zein, in addition to Nabatieh Governor Mahmoud Mawla and local political, community, military and religious leaders".

“This crime is yet another indication of the cruelty perpetrated against our children by "Israel" and its ally, the United States, which supplies it with the latest and the most efficient killing equipment,” said Sheik Abdel-Hussein Sadeq, the imam of Nabatieh, during the eulogy. Mr. Mawla later issued a memorandum reminding all residents of Nabatieh to “avoid touching suspicious objects and to report them to the nearest security position.”

"Israel" raids Jabal Botom… (2)
""Israeli" warplanes Sunday raided wadis near Jabal Botom in the western sector".

"Two jets fired a pair of missiles into the area. No casualties were reported in the raid, which brought to 14 the number of "Israeli" air attacks on Lebanon since the beginning of the year".

""Israeli" artillery in Mohaibib and Taibe Saturday shelled the central sector around the villages of Majdal Silm, Qabrikha and Souwanneh. Shelling also reached Wadi Salouqi, Wadi Qaisieh, Wadi Hojeir and the Litani River".

1- The Daily Star, 15-2-1999.
2- Same source.

  February Tuesday 1 -1999:

Collaborators stormed into Tair Harfa… (1)
"The reports from the occupied zone said a proxy militia force, headed by the "security chief" in Tair Harfa, agent Akram Oulayan, stormed into houses owned by people who had been expelled by the occupation forces and their collaborators".

"The militiamen ransacked and stole the furniture in the houses of Said Assad Bayyad, Nazem Said Bayyad, and Ali Hassan, before occupying the houses themselves".

"The people of Tair Harfa issued a communiqué in which they condemned "the militia's arbitrary measures against the residents", urging the government to take action in this regard and raise the issue with human rights groups".

1- Al-Manar TV, 15-2-1999.

  February Wednesday 17 -1999:

"Israeli" explosive injures young man in South Lebanon… (1)
" A 16 year old Lebanese suffered from first degree burns when an explosive charge went off near the village of Sidikeen in south Lebanon. Mahmoud Balhas had picked up the device which looked like a remote control before it went off. Mahmoud is in hospital. His face, hands and legs were severely burned. The device was apparently placed by "Israeli" occupation troops".

"Israel" bombs Jabal Botom for third day… (2)
"An "Israeli" warplane dropped a pair of bombs for the third day in a row into what must by now be a battered stretch of countryside near Jabal Botom in the western sector. As with similar raids on the area Sunday and Monday, there were no casualties".

"Further north, "Israeli" troops and two tanks from Beaufort Castle set up a road block on the outskirts of Arnoun between 3.30 P.M. and 5 P.M. Monday, checking all cars heading for the village and neighboring Yohmor".

However, the IR statement reported that the "Israeli" occupation troops staged the following
aggressions (3):
6:00, Mount Sojod was shelled by five 120mm shells.
6:35, several 120mm shells struck the perimeters of Haddatha town.
6:50, Qaissieh Valley was targeted by four 155mm missiles, whereas Jib Soweid are was hit by four others.
7:00, five 120mm shells landed Mount Sojod.
7:30, four 120mm shells slammed into Haddatha woodland.
11:40, Litani River watercourse was bombarded by twenty 155mm missiles.
14:25, two 120mm shells struck Mount Sojod.
14:40, four 155mm missiles fell on the perimeters of Loweizeh and three others on Mount Safi.
Between 15:45 and 15:50, west of Yater village came under fourteen 155mm missiles.
16:00, the deserted Lebanese Army barracks of Nabatieh El-Fawqa was shelled by a number of 155mm missiles.
16:15, the "Israeli" warplanes raided into the west of Yater.

1- Future TV, 16-2-1999.
2- The Daily Star, 17-2-1999.
3- IR statement, 16-2-1999.

  February Thursday 18 -1999:

"Israeli" goods confiscated, Hizbullah wants stricter measures
"Hizbullah’s resistance efforts turned to confiscating "Israeli"-made dairy products Wednesday, after villagers were caught trying to make money by selling them in the south.

The party announced that they had seized four boxes containing a total of 120 bottles of milk and yogurt in the village of Srifa, east of Tyre and a few kilometers from the "Israeli"-occupied security zone in southern Lebanon."

"The plastic bottles with Hebrew writing on them were taken away from the villagers by local Hizbullah members, who took them to the group’s office in Tyre, a spokesman for the group said.

“The boxes will be handed to the Lebanese authorities, who will launch an investigation into the matter,” he added.

Lebanon observes an Arab boycott of "Israeli" products.

"Hizbullah’s leader in southern Lebanon, Sheik Nabil Qaouq, said: “Smuggling, selling or using such goods, even if they are gifts, is religiously, nationally and morally forbidden"
“Those who deal with these products are traitors to their nation, and we urge the concerned authorities to investigate the matter and adopt stricter measures to prevent such acts,” he said.

“We also call on our people to report the presence of any "Israeli" goods on our market, wherever they are,” he added… (1)

"UNIFIL spokesman Timur Goksel denied that international force troops have taken part in the smuggling operation"

"Goksel said some traders may have brought the goods through the Kfarkilla crossing, adding that a lot of "Israeli" goods pass through the crossing gates at the Lebanese Palestinian borders"… (2)

"Israel" escalates situation in South
 "Southerners running for their lives. "Israeli" gunners pounding civilian populated areas in the southern town of Nabatiyeh Fawqa. Quickly the entire region turned into a ghost town. "Israeli" shelling targeted the deserted army barracks in the market town of Nabatiyeh, just north of the occupation zone. Intense "Israeli" bombardment on the front-line village Kfar Tibneet, left the home of Hussein Ali Hayek destroyed. The ravines of Ali Taher, Shookeen, Mazraat Hamra, and the villages of Zawtar Sharakiyeh and Zawtar Gharbiyeh were not spared the "Israeli" attacks. For its part the "Israeli"-equipped and financed militia in occupied southern Lebanon, combed the front-line area of Hasbani-Zimraya in the Western Bekaa Valley. Heavy machine guns and grenades were used"...(3)

In its communiqué, the IR mentioned the following "Israeli" aggressions (4):
5:45, the surroundings of Bir Kallab outpost subjected to heavy machine gun fire whereas several 81mm flare shells were fired overhead.
5:50, four 155mm missiles fell on the perimeters of Jibal El-Botom village.
5:55, the surroundings of Sojod outpost exposed to a volley of 12.7mm heavy machine gun rounds.
Between 6:45 and 7:10, the peripheries of Loweizeh village came under three 155mm missiles and three 120mm shells.
6:45, four 120mm shells fell on the surroundings of Bir Kallab outpost and three others on Mount Al-Rafih.
17:25, the hilltops of Rihayat and Jabbour came under five 155mm missiles.
200 accused of collaboration… (5)

"Military Prosecutor Nasri Lahoud Wednesday accused 200 people of collaboration with "Israeli" intelligence, entering "Israel" and smuggling drugs and cigarettes across the southern border.

The group was uncovered after the arrest and interrogation of an officer of the South Lebanon Army earlier this month".

"The officer, Mohammed Khalil Nabaa ­ responsible for security in Shebaa in the occupied zone’s western sector ­ is among the accused. Nine others being held with him are Bassem Mohammed Ghader, Khaled Mohammed Asaad, Mohammed Taysir Qaadan and his brother Majed, Saeb Mohammed Rahil and his brother Khaled, Jamal Mohammed Rammal, police Sergeant Nabil Amin Ghannam and Omran Deeb Daafour."

"Majed Qaadan and Khaled Rahil were doing military service at the time. Together with Jihad Hussein Nassar and Ikram Ali Sheet, they face prison sentences and possible execution if convicted of spying for Mossad".

"Mr. Lahoud also indicted 188 people who are still at large.

All are accused of supplying Mossad with information on the Lebanese Army and resistance since 1992. Some are also believed to have sold drugs to "Israeli" servicemen in the occupied zone and smuggled European and U.S.-made cigarettes into Lebanon from "Israel"".

1- The Daily Star, 18-2-1999.
2- Al-Manar TV, 17-2-1999.
3- Future TV, 17-2-1999.
4- IR statement, 17-2-1999.
5- The Daily Star, 18-2-1999.

  February Friday 19 -1999:

Arnoun is annexed into occupied zone… (1)
"A “technical adjustment,” not an expansion of the zone, was how the "Israeli" Army Thursday described the annexation of the village of Arnoun into the occupied border strip."

"But for the handful of residents who have refused to leave their homes, despite having lived with the burden of occupation for 17 years, this “technical adjustment” has sounded the death knell for Arnoun.

Surely, the few remaining residents now have no choice but to abandon the village.
Prime Minister Salim Hoss protested the appropriation of Arnoun in a letter to UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan".

“It is ridiculous for "Israel" to claim that it wants to withdraw from Lebanon when it occupies a new village and annexes it to the zone it already occupies,” Mr. Hoss said in the letter.

President Emile Lahoud told Richard Ehrdmann, the U.S. delegate and new chairman of the five-nation Monitoring Group, that Lebanon would be filing a complaint over the seizure of Arnoun, which he said was a “new "Israeli" aggression against Lebanon.”

It only took five hours for "Israeli" troops and South Lebanon Army militiamen to kill this front line village.

Between 7 P.M. and midnight Wednesday, earth barricades were bulldozed across the entrance of Arnoun, coils of barbed wire were strung up between the "Israeli" post at Beaufort Castle overlooking the village and Kfar Tibnit, 3 kilometers away. Land mines were planted along the length of the new border.

The 40 or so residents of Arnoun woke Thursday morning to find themselves trapped inside the zone, cut off from the rest of Lebanon by the barbed wire. Dangling from the wire were signs warning of landmines inscribed in Arabic, English and Hebrew. On the reverse was a message written in Arabic: “Stop. The border is in front of you.”

"The "Israelis" have instructed the residents of Arnoun that they can only leave the zone via the SLA* checkpoint at Kfar Tibnit. This means the villagers will have to walk the 3 kilometers to Kfar Tibnit along an overgrown track. The "Israelis" long ago banned all vehicles in Arnoun."

"It was, perhaps, inevitable that Arnoun’s tenuous grip on state-controlled Lebanon was going to end. The village lay in an uneasy no-man’s land with the nearest army checkpoint 1.5 kilometers up the road toward Nabatieh. Half the village technically lay within the occupation zone while the other half was subject to repeated forays by "Israeli" soldiers and SLA militiamen".

"The departure of much of the population in November and the demolition of 22 houses in December and January signaled the end for Arnoun.

"There was nothing the handful of remaining residents could do Thursday except ponder their dismal prospects".

“We thought they were just closing the road. Not this,” said Khadija Khawaja, 40, indicating the barbed wire and bulldozed earth that separated her from reporters.

She said that the residents had relayed their plight to the International Committee of the Red Cross.
“We don’t want to live here any longer, not if the wire is going to stay in place,” she said.
"As she spoke, four "Israeli" soldiers were visible standing on the ramparts of Beaufort Castle, watching the proceedings below".

"Mounir Tawbe, 6, scampered along the occupied side of the barbed wire fence, exploring the new limits of his world with a friend, Hussein Marouni".

"Moments later, Mounir scrambled down the unoccupied side of the freshly bulldozed earth barricade to join reporters, having crossed the minefield and squeezed through the barbed wire.

Undaunted by the scolding he received from reporters, Mounir said, “The "Israelis" are liars. There are no land mines there.”

"His sense of triumph undiminished, he returned through the wire to join his family".

Village is now a ‘free-fire zone’… (2)
"The annexation of Arnoun into the occupation zone appears to be the culmination of an "Israeli" scheme to depopulate the village and turn it into a “free-fire zone,” or an area where anything that moves would come under fire".

"In November, most of the residents walked out of the village, declaring that conditions had grown intolerable. The "Israelis" further hastened the exodus by bulldozing six homes Dec. 29 and another 16 homes Jan. 7".

"The second round of demolitions came two days after an "Israeli" soldier was wounded in a roadside bomb attack. The "Israeli" Army justified the demolitions by claiming to have found bomb-making equipment in one of the homes"

"The demolitions were subsequently condemned by the five-nation Monitoring Group.
A security source said that, with the likely imminent departure of the few remaining residents, the "Israeli" Army had achieved its aim".

“They don’t have to bulldoze any more homes, they will simply treat the village as a free-fire zone.” he said.

A new "Israeli" crime: boy sustains burns from explosion of "Israeli" booby-trapped object… (3)
"The endless series of "Israeli" crimes against children and civilians harvested another victim today.
Hassan Talal Fneish, 14, today (yesterday) sustained burns in the face when an unidentified object exploded near his house in the town in the Maaroub".

"The boy had to be admitted to the UNIFIL hospital in Borj Qalawieh".

1- The Daily Star, 19-2-1999.
2- Same source.
3- Al-Manar TV, 18-2-1999.

  February Saturday 20 -1999:

Massive sit-in in support of Arnounites; occupation forces bar residents from crossing barbed wires… (1)
"Residents of Arnoun today (yesterday) tried to remove the barbed wires placed by the "Israeli" occupation forces.

Enemy troops in the Beaufort Castle outpost fired shots at the residents and a group of reporters who tried to enter the town which was annexed to the occupied zone Wednesday night".

"Minister of Public Works and Transportation Najib Miqati, Faithfulness to the Resistance (FTR) bloc member MP Abdallah Qassir, MPs Yassin Jaber and Abdel-Latif al-Zein, Nabatieh Governor Mahmoud al-Mawla, besides a large number of party representatives headed for the southern town today (yesterday).

"Minister Miqati spoke to the residents from behind the barbed wires.

"The government is taking action to remove the occupation from the town and other southern villages and cities, Miqati told Arnounites".

"The people of Arnoun this morning staged a massive sit-in in the Husseineit of neighboring Kfartibneet"

"Minister Miqati took part in the sit-in along with a number of MPs and party representatives.
Speakers at the sit-in called on the international community to end the "Israeli" violation of Lebanon's sovereignty urging the resistance to step up its attacks in order to foil the enemy plans.

Retaliation for this aggression must take the form of more unity, said Hezbollah official in the south Sheikh Nabil Qawooq".

""Israeli" mounting aggressions and killing of children with booby-trapped toys will not give the enemy tranquility nor will it drive away the death coming from the resistance men's arms, he added.

Sheikh Qawooq stressed that the war against the enemy will continue".

It is a war fought by the resistance to achieve victory, he said.

"Residents of neighboring Yohmor also staged a sit-in in solidarity with the Arnounites. The occupation forces in the Beaufort Castle raked the town's vicinity with machine guns".

1- Al-Manar TV, 19-2-1999.

  February Sunday 21 -1999:

Parties want complaint with Security Council to stop "Israeli" aggression… (1)
"Lebanese parties, political forces and unions underlined that annexing the town of Arnoun into the occupied zone reflects the aggressive expansionist nature of the Zionist entity.

The occupation is trying to screen the quagmire it is confronting due to the resistance operations which are inflicting on its military, psychological and morale defeats, the parties said at a meeting they held today".

"They stressed the Lebanese popular and official invariable stand that resistance and the steadfastness of the people are the only ways to liberate the land and recover sovereignty.

The parties and forces urged the government to file a complaint with the UN Security Council and call on the Arab League and Arab diplomacy to take immediate action in order to secure an Arab stand to stop the "Israeli" aggression".

"The party representatives called for rallying and mobilizing political and popular forces to boost solidarity with the steadfast residents in occupied towns".

1- Al-Manar TV, 20-2-1999.

  February Monday 22 -1999:

Liquor store shooting blamed on an "Israeli" collaborator… (1)
"Politicians and security forces Saturday blamed a former South Lebanon Army official for having incited Friday’s shooting in a store in the village of Qrayyeh near Sidon that wounded four people.
The manhunt for the perpetrators stepped up over the weekend with troops establishing checkpoints and stopping cars in Qrayyeh and Sidon."

"The roads leading to the Ain al-Hilweh and Mieh Mieh Palestinian camps were filled with security personnel."

"A man entered a store selling alcohol in Qrayyeh Friday and fired several shots from a pistol before driving off on the back of a moped. Four men were wounded and one escaped unharmed. Qrayyeh residents and MPs staged a sit-in Saturday to protest at the attack against the predominantly Christian village".

"Security sources in Sidon said that Hanna Helayhel, a former South Lebanon Army militia official who lives in Jezzine, had been taking advantage of such incidents to stir up sectarian tension and incite further attacks. They added that the attack could be linked to a series of recent incidents in Sidon, including the assaults on stores selling alcohol, the killing of two members of the Internal Security Forces and the attempted murder of a Lebanese army soldier. The sources said that the same procedure and weapons were used during each attack".

"Elsewhere, Sana Mounif Shebani, 33, was shot in the hand when a machine gun in the Sojod post raked the northern outskirts of Arab Salim and Jarjoue Sunday morning".

"The wounding of Ms. Shebani is one of three complaints filed to the five-nation Monitoring Group which is to convene in Naqoura Monday. The other complaints concern the annexation of Arnoun and damage to houses in Arab Salim".

1- The Daily Star, 22-2-1999.

  February Tuesday 23 -1999:

Occupation raided western sector, bombarded liberated areas .
""Israeli" occupation's warplanes in the afternoon (Monday) staged two raids on the area between Jbal al-Bottom and al-Shaitieh (western sector) firing four air-to-ground missiles"

"Enemy aircraft staged a third raid on the area between Zibqeen and Jbal al-Bottom (western sector) firing two air-to-ground missiles".

"The Islamic Resistance intercepted the enemy warplanes with SAM 7 missiles, barring the enemy aircraft from achieving its goals".

"Israeli" aircraft flew over southern areas before and after the raids.

"Moreover, occupation forces heavy machine-guns fired at Arnoun residents who came to see their relatives in the town which had been barb-wired by the occupation."

"The residents had to retreat due to the "Israeli" heavy fire.

"An "Israeli" helicopter set out from al-Qalaa outpost and flew at a low altitude over the Litani River banks".

"Witnesses saw the helicopter throwing unidentified objects.

Two ICRC cars today (yesterday) entered the besieged town of Arnoun. They transferred men to the Kfartibneet crossing at a request from the occupation forces ".

"However, the residents refused to use the crossing to reach liberated areas.

"Displaced residents of Arnoun are to hold a solidarity meeting in Beirut tomorrow"… (1)

In its communiqué, the IR mentioned the following "Israeli" aggressions on the Lebanese towns and villages (2):

6:05, two 120mm shells struck Sojod village.
6:35, four 155mm missiles fell on the west of Yater village and two others on Jib Soweid area.
12:50, ten 155mm missiles slammed into the southern perimeters of Jibal El-Botom.
13:10, the peripheries of Zibqeen village subjected to three 155mm missiles.
14:10, the "Israeli" warplanes raided into the area between Zibqeen and Jibal El-Botom villages firing two air-to-ground rockets.
14:20, the "Israeli" fighters launched a sortie into the area of Reshknanay.
14:25, the warplanes reiterated raiding into east of Zibqeen village.
14:30, the jet airplanes released extraneous substances on Mount Al-Rafih and Habboush area.
15:00, the south of Jibal El-Botom was bombarded by nine 155mm missiles.
16:55, Mount Al-Rafih was shelled by four 12mm rounds.
17:40, seven 120mm rounds hit Mount Sojod.

AUMG discusses 4 complaints including annexation of Arnoun… (3)
"The April Understanding Monitoring Group convened this morning at the UNIFIL HQ in Naqoura to examine 4 complains, 3 Lebanese including the recent "Israeli" aggression of annexing the town of Arnoun into the occupied zone".

"Lebanon also protested the "Israeli" deliberate bombardment of the town of Arabsalim (Iqlim al-Touffah) last Saturday which seriously injured Mrs. Sanaa Shibani".

"The third Lebanese complaint is over the "Israeli" shelling which damaged two houses in the town of Jarjou".

"The "Israeli" occupation claimed in its complaint that the resistance fired on occupation outposts from the woods of the Majdel Zoen village".

"Lebanese delegation's sources said it will seek to achieve a condemnation of ""Israel"" for its annexation of Arnoun and force it to liberate the town".

"If these efforts can not achieve the desired results, the Lebanese government has to move through diplomatic channels", the sources said.

"The "Israeli" complaint is baseless and unjustified. Similar complaints have been filed (by ""Israel"") earlier, but the group did not consider them after noting that the resistance does not carry out attacks randomly", the sources added.

Students protest annexation of Arnoun… (4)
"Students from the American University of Beirut and the Lebanese University’s campus in Sidon staged sit-ins Monday to protest the incorporation of Arnoun into the occupation zone last week.
At AUB, members of the University Student Faculty Committee (USFC), which organized the sit-in, asked students to sign a petition denouncing the "Israeli" take-over of the village".

“It’s a way of spreading awareness,” said Dania Hashem a member of USFC and Hizbullah. “People should know that "Israel" occupies 103 villages in the south and western Bekaa and that they have added one more to become 104.”

"The small crowd sat on the ground by West Hall in front of a board with a map of Lebanon and pictures of the occupied village. “Arnoun today, all of Lebanon tomorrow,” said Yasmine Dada, an AUB student at the sit-in who is planning to gather donations to help refugees from the south. “We are here to send a message to the rest of the world, if we don’t protest, who will?” she asked.

"Attendance at the Lebanese University in Sidon was considerably greater than at AUB, reflecting the city’s proximity to the occupation".

"Some 300 students from different political affiliations stood behind barbed wire, with one protester holding aloft a metal land mine warning sign taken from outside the village.

Many students denounced the absence of any effective action from the international community, saying the resistance was the only way to free the south".

“We have staged this sit-in to show our solidarity with our countrymen in Arnoun and all other occupied villages. We ask the UN to take action to return Arnoun to Lebanese sovereignty,” said Samar Diab, a student.

“Arnoun is a very dear part of our country and we will not leave it under "Israeli" occupation. The world is asleep and should wake up and see the crimes of "Israel" in Lebanon,” said Raja Sinn.

“How can the "Israeli" extremist Cabinet claim that it is willing to implement UN resolutions and then annex Arnoun into the occupied zone? Using roadside bombs and rockets is the only solution to force "Israel" to evacuate the south,” Alaeddine Abu Husun said.

Agent Aqel Hashem sentenced… (5)

 "Military court issued a group of sentences including the following:
"Badieh Jerjes al-Haj was found guilty of dealing with ""Israel""; dealing in narcotics; and violating the law of boycotting "Israel". He was sentenced to 10 years' hard labor."

"Youssef Antonios al-Alam and Aqel Ibrahim Hashem were sentenced to 10 years' hard labor on charges of dealing with the "Israeli" enemy and abducting individuals".

"Nabil Alam e-Deen Raad, Anwar Ali Hazimeh, Mohammed Alam e-Deen Raad, Ali Saeed al-Halabi, Qassem Saeed Gaidah, Bassam Saeed Gaidah, Kamel Ali Abu Dahen, Fadi Saeed al-Merdas, Salim Ali Badawi, Jihad Jamil Barakat, Mou'en Wehbi Monzer, Hussam Saleh Abu Rafeh, Najib Hamad Abu Ghaya, Kamel Youssef Abu Dahan, Walid Fouad Sabagha, and Rifaat Qassem al-Sabagh were sentenced to 2 years' hard labor plus a L.L 2 million fine each for entering the enemy's territories".

1- Al-Manar TV, 22-2-1999.
2- IR statement, 22-2-1999.
3- Al-Manar TV, 22-2-1999.
4- The Daily Star, 23-2-1999.
5- Al-Manar TV, 22-2-1999.

  February Wednesday 24 -1999:

Arnoun issue to be taken to UN… (1)
"Lebanon decided Tuesday to take the issue of Arnoun straight to the UN Security Council, despite the threat of a veto from the United States, after the Monitoring Group failed after two days of discussion to reach a consensus on what action to take".

"President Emile Lahoud and Prime Minister Salim Hoss took the decision during an evening meeting at Baabda. Mr. Hoss then called Speaker Nabih Berri to explain the situation"

"The complaint, the first in almost three years, will seek a meeting of the Security Council. While Washington is certain to use its veto power to prevent a condemnation of "Israel", Lebanon hopes that its diplomatic offensive would muster enough political pressure from other countries to force "Israel" to reverse the annexation of the village last week".

"At the end of a 32-hour session Tuesday, the Monitoring Group issued a statement saying that its representatives had shown “serious concerns surrounding this incident and its potential for raising tensions.”

"But it added that they had failed to agree on whether the laying of mines and razor wire fencing in Arnoun constituted a violation of the April Understanding not to target civilians".

“The Lebanese delegate stated that the only acceptable outcome of the meeting would be an "Israeli"
commitment to return Arnoun to how it was before. As a result there was no agreement on a common course of action,” the statement said.

Mr. Hoss rejected "Israel's" previous claims that the Monitoring Group had no mandate to discuss the Arnoun problem.

“This issue is surely part of the group’s mandate. Civilians are paying the price of Arnoun’s annexation. The group is supposed to protect the interests of the civilians and the residents of Arnoun have been displaced from their village,” he said.

"President Lahoud in turn insisted that if the Monitoring Group did not take the necessary measures, Lebanon would contact the United Nations. The president had remained in direct contact with Colonel Maher Toufeili, the Lebanese representative to the monitoring body, and when it became clear that the deadlock was intractable, he and Mr. Hoss changed course".

"Mr. Berri, who had also discussed the issue with Mr. Satterfield, deplored Israel treatment of civilians in the south. “The farmers can’t work in their fields and the children can’t go to school. We want the "Israelis" to evacuate the village,” he said, adding that the credibility of the Monitoring Group was at stake over the matter".

“I think the government should file a complaint to the Security Council even if the U.S. is likely to veto any resolution condemning "Israeli" aggression,” the speaker said.

“If the council fails to condemn "Israel", nobody should be surprised to see vast numbers of Lebanese marching on Arnoun,” he added.

"Mr. Berri also warned "Israel" against any attempt to use a pullout from Arnoun as a bargaining chip for reducing the resistance in the south".

Occupation raided and bombarded liberated areas… (2)
""Israeli" occupation's warplanes last night and today (yesterday) staged several raids on the areas of Yohmor, Tomat "Neha Hilltops, and Jabal Abu Rashed, then raided Berkit Jabour and Wadi
Zelaya".

Two "Israeli" jets fired three air-to-surface missiles in a valley outside Yohmor, a village near Meidoun, as enemy helicopter gunships made repeated strafing forays in the area".
"The jets returned a few hours later to fire at least one more missile over the same area. There was
no word on casualties as a result of the air aggressions".

"The enemy aircraft was intercepted by the anti-aircraft fire from the Islamic Resistance and the Lebanese army."

Furthermore, "Israeli" warplanes blasted nearby hills of Ain al-Tini and Zelaya, firing six air-to-earth rockets.

""Israeli" occupation's artillery also pounded large areas in the Western Beqaa with more than 200 rounds.

"It bombarded parts of the central sector of the occupied border zone in south Lebanon.
Enemy rounds slammed the areas of Qabriekha, Majdel Selim (mid sector), and Mazraat al-Hamra, the outskirts of Zawtar al-Sharqieh, Zawtar al-Gharbieh, Yohmor, Shookeen, Maifadoun (Western Beqaa), the deserted army barracks in Nabatieh, the outskirts of Upper Nabatieh, al-Zahrani River banks, and Mount al-Rafieh (Iqlim al-Touffah)".

"Meanwhile, enemy warplanes, helicopters and espionage drones flew oversouthern skies all day long today, while "Israeli" gunboats sailed off the Lebanese southern coast".

1- The Daily Star, 24-2-1999.
2- Al-Manar TV, 23-2-1999.

  February Thursday 25 -1999:

Lebanon delays the complaint to the UN Security Council… (1)
"Lebanon Wednesday put on hold a complaint to the UN Security Council over "Israel's" seizure of Arnoun. At a four-hour meeting, the Cabinet decided to postpone the adoption of a final stand until after Prime Minister Salim Hoss has assessed contacts under way with “all countries that wield influence with the Security Council.”

"The decision came despite heightened calls to take the case to New York after the failure of the five-nation Monitoring Group to offer a verdict.

"The government denied it had bowed to U.S. pressure when it reversed Tuesday’s decision to go to the Security Council, insisting this was still an option.

“What’s important is that these contacts take place so that when the case is presented to the Security Council, the resolutions will be the way Lebanon wants it to be and not diluted so as to alter the Lebanese position,” Information Minister Anwar Khalil told reporters after the Cabinet session.

President Emile Lahoud opened the session with a strong denunciation of "Israel's" annexation of "Arnoun, insisting that the government would not drop the case.

Mr. Hoss explained that if the Monitoring Group had been able to redress the situation, Lebanon would not even have contemplated going to the Security Council.

"Earlier Wednesday, however, U.S. Ambassador David Satterfield asserted that the Monitoring Group was still the best forum to discuss security concerns and “ease tension in the region.”

"Mr. Satterfield, who also discussed Arnoun with Speaker Nabih Berri, is scheduled to depart for Washington Thursday on a previously arranged trip to take part in an annual conference for U.S.
ambassadors in the Middle East. Diplomatic sources said that although Mr. Satterfield will be discussing Arnoun with the State Department, it was not the primary reason for his visit.

"General Lahoud also met the commander of Unifil, Major General Joiji Konrote, and Timur Goksel, political adviser to the peacekeepers.

"The president told them that he had originally favored taking the Arnoun case to the Monitoring Group so that Lebanon could not be blamed for sidelining the committee. Now that the Group had deferred adjudicating on Arnoun, it was necessary to raise the issue elsewhere, the president was quoted as saying.

"Mr. Hoss asked Lebanon’s UN ambassador, Samir Mubarak, to step up his consultations with the five permanent members of the Security Council and assess their backing for a Lebanese complaint".

No homecoming for Arnoun dead… (4) 
"Since "Israel" cordoned off Arnoun into the occupation zone last week, the final resting place for deceased natives now depends on whether they still live inside or outside the village.

For Afaf Hamdan, 47, who died two days ago in Beirut, the residents were forced Wednesday to re-open an abandoned cemetery on the edge of the village for her funeral."

"Half the mourners, including Miss Hamdan’s sister, Zeinab, were unable to grieve beside the grave as they remain trapped inside the village behind coils of barbed wire and land mines. The existing cemetery is found in the middle of the village, now inaccessible to outsiders".

"Miss Hamdan, daughter of Arnoun’s Mukhtar, Afif Hamdan, died Tuesday at the Hayat Hospital in Beirut from a heart disorder. The woman’s relatives in Beirut transported her body to the outskirts of Arnoun".

"The Mukhtar, who was refused permission to leave the village earlier this week, was transported by the International Committee of the Red Cross via the Kfar Tibnit crossing so he could attend the ceremony".

"But Zeinab remained behind, crying in grief along with the other trapped residents.

Former residents flocked to the village to take part in the funeral while "Israeli" troops in Beaufort Castle sent two armored personnel carriers to monitor the proceedings 200 meters from the village entrance".

"Israeli" occupation raided and bombarded liberated areas
""Israeli" occupation's warplanes at 14:10 raided the area between Markaba and Taloussa inside the occupied zone firing two air-to-ground missiles".

"Enemy aircraft staged another raid at 14:30 on the area between Markaba and Bani Hayyan.
"After 16:00, "Israeli" gunship helicopters raided the wadi al-Slouqi area.
"Israeli" warplanes flew over Tyre and Beirut.

"Moreover, the occupation's artillery at noon bombarded Mazraat al-Hamra, the area between Shookeen and Maifadoun, Wadi al-Zawtarain, the vicinity of Haddatha, Sribbeen and Yater.

The towns of Majdel Selim and Shaqra and the Wadis of al-Slouqi, al-Qaissieh, and al-Mlouleh were hit by "Israeli" 120mm and 155mm rounds"… (3)

For its part, the IR released a communiqué in which it mentioned further "Israeli" aggressions. Here are the details (4):
00:05, seven 155mm missiles landed Mazraat Hamra and two 120mm shells hit the crossroad of Tallousa-Bani Hayan.
00:10, two 120mm shells hit Slouqi Valley.
00:30, Qaissieh Valley was shelled by five 120mm rounds.
1:15, the "Israeli" helicopters strafed Slouqi Valley with heavy machine gun fire.
1:30, two 105mm Merkava tank rounds struck the surroundings of Markaba.
8:10, Qaissieh Valley was bombarded by fifteen 155mm missiles.
8:25, the perimeters of Majdal Selem town came under four 155mm missiles.
8:30, the area between Majdal Selem and Shaqra was targeted by five 155mm missiles.
10:55, seven 155mm missiles slammed into the peripheries of Touline village.
11:30, the perimeters of Jibal El-Botom village exposed to nine 155mm missiles.
11:35, four 155mm missiles fell on the outskirts of Haddatha town.
11:50, Haris ravine was shelled by four 155mm missiles.
12:15, five 155mm missiles fell on Sawan area, four 120mm shells on the outskirts of Zawtar and three 155mm missiles on the area of Chokeen and Maifadoun villages.
14:30, the "Israeli" warplanes raided into the area between Markaba and Tallousa villages firing two air-to-surface rockets.
15:35, Mount Sojod was bombarded by eleven 120mm shells and a barrage of 12.7mm heavy machine gun rounds.
15:40, Slouqi Valley was targeted by seven 155mm missiles.
15:45, six 122mm rounds fell on the crossroad of Tallousa-Bani Hayan.
16:00, the surroundings of Bir Kallab outpost subjected to twenty five 120mm shells.
16:05, the "Israeli" helicopters raked the area between Markaba and Bani Hayan villages.
16:10, the "Israeli" helicopters raked the area between Bani Hayan crossroad and Tallousa village.
16:30, five 155mm missiles struck the perimeters of Loweizeh village.

1- The Daily Star, 25-2-1999.
2- Same source.
3- Al-Manar TV, 24-2-1999.
4- IR statement, 24-2-1999.

Hizbullah denounced U.S. pressure on Lebanon concerning Arnoun's affair… (1)
"Hizbullah condemned U.S. pressure on Lebanon to refrain from filing a complaint to the Security Council and urged the government to refuse to bow to it."

“We firmly condemn the U.S. stance which reflects Washington’s solidarity with "Israeli" terrorism and provides political cover for "Israeli" aggression against Lebanon,” said the head of Hizbullah’s politburo, Nabatieh MP Mohammed Raad.

“The U.S. position is aimed at preventing Lebanon from filing a complaint to the Security Council to avoid embarrassing Washington and forcing it to use its veto against any resolution in favor of Lebanon,” he said.

He accused the United States of trying to gain time for "Israel" to make the annexation of Arnoun a
fait accompli.

“U.S. pressure is aimed at turning the annexation of Arnoun into a fait accompli. The government should dismiss this pressure and insist on filing a complaint to the Security Council and should be aware of any attempt to turn the Monitoring Group into a political entity. We should make sure that this group sticks to its original mandate which is to ensure a mechanism to prevent "Israel" from attacking civilians,” he said.

Cabinet assures following-up Arnoun crisis till the very end… (2)
"Lebanon’s complaint to the UN Security Council over the annexation of Arnoun by "Israeli" forces remained on hold Thursday with official sources saying the government was concerned that such a motion would overshadow its quest for the implementation of Resolution 425".

“The government cannot limit its action to the Arnoun issue and ignore its long-standing demand for unconditional "Israeli" withdrawal under Resolution 425. The issue of Arnoun is a part of a larger problem,” a source told The Daily Star.

“Lebanon isn’t hesitating to file a complaint but is exercising caution, awaiting the results of consultations with Security Council’s five permanent members. That’s why the government called on the Monitoring Group of the 1996 April Understanding to discuss the problem, because Lebanon is aware of the serious situation created by the annexation of Arnoun and the possible repercussions it could have in the Security Council,” the source continued.

The source was referring to a threat by the United States to veto any new UN resolution that would be in favor of Lebanon’s position.

"The prime minister said that Lebanon’s ambassador to the UN, Samir Mubarak, had informed him of the results of the consultations he had with the members of the Security Council.

“The results are not final. We are continuing our contacts in New York to achieve an international stance supporting Lebanon’s national interests,” Mr. Hoss said.

Kesrouan MP Rushayd Khazen said President Emile Lahoud was adamant that the annexation of Arnoun be reversed and is awaiting the results of U.S. mediation.

“General Lahoud has focused his efforts on the need to free Arnoun from "Israeli" occupation through all possible international means. Lebanon is following up international reactions to avoid the possibility of getting nowhere if the U.S. fails to secure a diplomatic solution,” Mr. Khazen said.

This wait-and-see approach came as unwelcome news to Parliament’s Defense and Security Committee which called Thursday for immediate action at the Security Council.

“The committee considers that the annexation of Arnoun into the occupied zone creates a very serious precedent that could be repeated elsewhere.

“Therefore the government should file an urgent complaint to the UN and call for an urgent meeting of the Security Council to condemn "Israel", regardless of whether any veto will be used against it,” said the head of the committee, Western Bekaa MP Sami Khatib.

Defense Minister Ghazi Zeaiter represented the Cabinet during the committee’s meeting at Nijmeh Square and explained the government’s position. The

the committee members argued that Monitoring Group was not the proper forum for discussion of problems related to Lebanese territorial sovereignty violated by the "Israeli" occupation.

“The annexation of Arnoun into the occupied zone is not part of the group’s mandate, which includes protecting civilians and monitoring fighting in the south,” Mr. Khatib said.

“By annexing Arnoun into the occupied zone, "Israel" changed the border of that zone and expanded it. Therefore, "Israel" could annex the villages of south Lebanon one after another to force us to accept the implementation of Resolution 425 under certain conditions that we have already refused.”

Former Foreign Minister Fares Boueiz stressed the need to file a complaint to the UN after calling for an urgent meeting of Arab foreign ministers.

“This is not in contradiction with U.S. efforts to reverse the annexation of Arnoun. If these efforts succeed, Lebanon could withdraw its complaint,” Mr. Boueiz observed during a news conference.

“Before filing the complaint, we should call for an urgent meeting of Arab foreign ministers to file another complaint in the name of Arab states. The Security Council is the first and only international authority in charge of keeping international security. By refraining from filing a complaint, we are relieving the council of its duties and responsibilities toward Lebanon.”

Meanwhile, army commander General Michel Suleiman inspected military positions in Tyre and Nabatieh.

“The annexation of Arnoun provides new evidence of "Israeli" aggression against Lebanese territory and sovereignty,” he told the troops.

"Former Egyptian Defense Minister Colonel Amin Howeidi, who held the post in the 1960s, visited Arnoun to express his solidarity with the residents".

“I do not represent the Egyptian government, I am here in my capacity as an Egyptian and Arab citizen,” Colonel Howeidi told The Daily Star.

“"Israel" has been living in a large ghetto over the last 50 years and it wants to make Arnoun a small ghetto and punish it because "Israel's" security is threatened by resistance attacks,” he said. “Don’t wait for American intervention, just step foward and move the barbed wires,” he said.

"Israeli" attacks increasingly target children… (1)
" The annexation of Arnoun was only one of many illegal acts "Israel" committed in Lebanon. Children have increasingly become targets and victims in south Lebanon. Our next report is about their plight.

Report: Almost three years ago, the world was shocked by this site - a young girl lying dead in an ambulance that was taking her to safety. The ambulance was targeted by an "Israeli" air to ground missile. But attacks like this did not stop and over recent weeks, children have increasingly become targets of "Israeli" aggressions. So they decided to raise their voices, hoping that this time they will be heard. Children from across Lebanon took to the streets to ask the world for protection. Eight year old Zeinab and her two year old brother Abbas are still in hospital three weeks after "Israeli" forces who occupy land in south Lebanon shelled their village of Majdel Selm. They were severely burned when phosphorous and shrapnel shells landed in their living room. Doctors say they are still in critical condition. Not too long after that attack, one child was killed and another wounded when they stumbled on a cluster bomb planted by "Israeli" forces in the southern village of Nabatiyeh. Five year old Ahmed Mokalled died of his wounds. His father holds back his tears as he recalls the events of that fateful day. Raed Mouqalled, father said: "I took Ahmed and his friends on a picnic. They were playing. And suddenly we heard an explosion. Ahmed died and his friend was wounded". Cluster bombs are frequently used by "Israeli" troops in their attacks despite their ban in international conventions signed by "Israel". Ahmed's mother has still not come to terms with her son's death. His father, Raed said his wife has still not been able to go home - everything there serves as reminders of her youngest child. His toys still lie on his bed and his clothes still hang in the closet. Ahmed was a playful and loving kid and that is how his father remembers him. And memories are all he has left.

Ahmed was buried on his sixth birthday. Ahmed was not a terrorist nor did he carry arms. He was a young boy who had a future ahead of him. He was not the first to be deprived of fulfilling his dreams. And he may not be the last".