March Tuesday 2 -1999:

 Beirut informs the international community of developments… (1)
" Beirut is informing the international community about "Israel's" latest aggressions in Lebanon. "Israel" has been calling on the government to deploy the Lebanese Army along the border. President Emile Lahoud said "Israel" should first withdraw and Lebanon would then tackle the situation."

" Prime Minister Selim Hoss has called on member states of the UN Security Council to intervene to
stop the "Israeli" aggressions against Lebanon. Hoss described the situation in the south as worrisome, and stressed the world should know that "Israel" is the aggressor, and it has been breaching the terms of the 1996 April truce understanding by attacking civilian areas. The premier said the resistance is waging operations against occupation forces inside Lebanon, and that does not violate the truce accord. The cease-fire permits resistance operations against "Israeli" occupation forces, but bans all attacks on and from civilian areas. Hoss also said, the resistance is a direct result of "Israeli" occupation. He also reiterated that "Israel" should withdraw its forces from Lebanon without conditions in line with Security Council resolution 425. "Israeli" Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has for long voiced disapproval to the cease-fire understanding, and last night hinted "Israel" may scrap it. His Defense Minster Moshe Arens publicly denounced the 1996 deal last week, saying he would not have conclude such an agreement, if he was in charge three years ago.

"Israeli" politicians are split on what to do in Lebanon.

There is a chorus of hard-liners calling on Netanyahu to wage a war against Lebanon and destroy the country's infrastructure, while others want a diplomatic and political way out of occupied southern Lebanon. The latest escalation in the south was the subject of discussions between President Emile Lahoud and Syrian President Hafez Assad during a telephone conversation. Lahoud told his visitors he was not surprised by the attacks, saying "Israel" had set a trap in Arnoun, by annexing the village which was later liberated by college students. Lahoud said "Israel" was seeking to gain security guarantees from Beirut"

Front-line tense in the south as Lebanese Army declares state of high alert… (2)
" A state of high alert was declared by the Lebanese army, the Hizbullah resistance movement and UN peacekeeping forces in south Lebanon. This morning, the situation there was tense but quiet. We visited some villages on the front-line."

" It was business as usual for southerners even though an "Israeli" threat to bombard their villages was looming. But residents of the front-line village of Barasheet and surrounding areas had spent the night in fear after "Israeli" warplanes staged air raids in nearby hills. But this morning southerners were out on the streets. A man said that: We were a bit shocked by the increased "Israeli" air activity and raids last night. But "Israeli" threats are normal and we are used to the daily "Israeli" bombardment and shelling. So nothing has really changed for us. But precautionary measures were taken.

Schoolchildren stayed at home. A man said that: people are cautious. They are not sure what will happen. That is why they did not send their children to school. Some people left but only a handful.

But despite the heightened tension, many villagers said they will remain steadfast. A woman said that:
we are not scared and "Israel" will not force us to leave our homes, our land, when they shell we stay at home and sometimes hide in our basement. Shell warning signs were placed at positions manned by United Nations peacekeepers. The UN force which has been deployed in south Lebanon since 1978 has been placed on high alert in case "Israel" launches wide scale attacks. "Israeli" occupation troops have warned UNIFIL not to use their helicopters saying they will not guarantee their safety. In south Lebanon yesterday morning, there was an uneasy calm. Residents are taking the "Israeli" threats seriously. But these people are used to "Israeli" aggressions and vowed to remain steadfast".

Uneasy peace, nervous waiting… (3)
"The war-weary residents of south Lebanon nervously awaited an "Israeli" onslaught Monday, but the threats of a massive assault against Hizbullah failed to materialize".

From the ramparts of the crumbling crusader castle in Tibnine, south Lebanon appeared to be enjoying one of the quietest days in months with not a single shot fired in anger.

"The latest upsurge in tension began after Hizbullah guerrillas killed Brigadier General Erez Gerstein, the most senior "Israeli" commander in the south, in a roadside bomb attack Sunday.

Hours after General Gerstein’s death, warplanes staged heavy air raids in front-line areas, with the "Israeli" government vowing to unleash an air, sea and ground offensive.

Despite the lack of violence during the day, tension remained high throughout the area facing the occupation zone".

"The skies above south Lebanon were filled with the omnipresent roar of "Israeli" F-16 warplanes and the insect-like buzz of pilotless observation drones".

"Two F-16s, their wings glinting in the sun, flew low over Tibnine, heading west before banking to the south. In the nearby village of Siddiqine, Mehdi Zaarour sipped Turkish coffee with friends in front of his house".

"For Mr. Zaarour, the threat of an "Israeli" offensive was of little consequence.

“It can’t get any worse for us than it already is,” he said. “We are used to being shelled by the "Israelis", it’s a daily occurrence.”

Siddiqine is adjacent to the village of Qana where 107 civilians were killed by "Israeli" artillery shelling of the Fijian Unifil base on April 18, 1996.

“Forty-eight people from here were killed in Qana. What more can "Israel" do to us,” said Mr. Zaarour.

Warnings were prominently displayed at Unifil checkpoints, after peacekeepers were ordered to go on full alert Sunday night, with the soldiers wearing flak jackets and helmets at all times.

Schools were closed for the day and many children were told to remain close to village bomb shelters.

In Majdal Silm, which has been subject to heavy shelling in the past two months, an estimated 400 residents fled northward in fear of an offensive.

“It’s very tense,” said Nahla Salloum, 44, one of several women watching over children outside the village’s bomb shelter.

With the distant peaks of Mount Hermon shimmering above the heat and dust haze, Mrs. Salloum says she will remain in Majdal Silm.

“I will stay here because this is my village, my land and my country.”

MONITORING GROUP MEETS AS TENSIONS DEFUSE IN SOUTH Lebanon… (1)
" The five-nation cease-fire-monitoring group, will hold an urgent meeting shortly in an attempt to defuse rising tensions in south Lebanon. Prime Minister Salim el-Hoss announced the meeting of the monitoring group had been brought forward from Wednesday. He said there has been an improvement in the situation on the ground and believed it is the start of de-escalation. Even though the group has no power to act, it has on previous occasions managed to contain the violence".

" The monitoring group was born after "Israel" launched a 17-day air, artillery and naval assault against Lebanon in April 1996. Its task is to monitor a cease-fire understanding between Lebanon and "Israel". That understanding bans attacks on and from civilian targets but allows the Lebanese resistance to launch attacks against "Israeli" occupation troops and their local allies in south Lebanon. The group which is made up of representatives from Lebanon, "Israel", France, Syria and the United States has held over 100 meetings since it was established. The panel rules on complaints filed by Lebanon and "Israel" over alleged truce violations. But it has no power to act. A year ago, the United States tried to expand the role of the group so that it could discuss security issues including UN resolution 425. But Lebanon and Syria rejected broadening its scope insisting that UN resolution 425 is clear cut and not negotiable. "Israel" has been trying to attach conditions to the resolution, conditions the Lebanese government categorically rejected. Last month, Washington tried to persuade Lebanon to allow the monitoring group to tackle "Israel's" annexation of the southern village of Arnoun. But the group was unable to reach a consensus forcing Lebanon to threaten to take the issue to the UN. But Lebanon's youth during a protest took down the barbed wire encircling the village of Arnoun".

Monthly report on "Israeli" aggressions against Lebanon in February…(1)
"There were 103 "Israeli" air, ground and sea aggressions against over 100 Lebanese areas and neighborhoods during February 1999".

"Air aggressions constituted 30.9% of the gross aggressions; they were 34.9% last January.

Enemy warplanes staged 17 raids on areas in the south and the western Beqaa.

""Israeli" fighters raided the Jib Swaid area (the woods of the Majdel Zoen town) on Feb. 4, 1999; an area between Khorbet Selim, Wadi Slouqi and Bourj Qalawieh on Feb. 11 (twice); an area between Zibqeen and Jbal al-Botom on Feb. 14; the woods of Jbal al-Botom on Feb. 15; an area between Jbal al-Botom and al-Shaitieh (twice) and on Feb. 22; Wadi Zillaya, al-Jabour Hilltops, and Mount Abu Rashed on Feb. 23; the area of Bani Hayyan (near Markaba) on Feb. 24; Mount al-Rafieh on Feb. 27; Ain al-Khanouq area, Dair Intar, Kafra, Yatar, the Khawam Hotel (Eastern Baalbek), Na'ameh hilltops, Ain al-Mizrab, Ain al-Mallouleh, the outskirts of Jbaa, Wadi al-Assi, Dlaitoun, and Wadi Zillaya on Feb. 27."

"On the other hand, the "Israeli" bombardment of Haddatha on Feb. 7, hit the Unifil's Irish Battalion HQ and wounded two of its troops.

"On Feb. 6, the "Israeli" shelling of residential neighborhoods in Majdel Selim wounded 11 Lebanese civilians most of them are elderly or children. They are: Fatima al-Maaz (60), Fatima Abed Ali Moslem (50), Samir Ali Merhi (45), Ataallah Yassin (45), Waradi Yassin (75), Sheikh Naji Hamadeh (35), Dr. Ali Hussein Yassin (25), Mohammed al-Maaz (10), Zeinab al-Maaz (15), Abbas al-Maaz and Hussein al-Maaz (two and a half)", "Moreover, the bombardment of Arabsalim on Feb. 21 wounded Mrs. Sanaa Shibani, 33.

"The occupation forces also added another massacre to their record which is full of crimes against children".

"On Feb. 12, a cluster bomb dating back to the April 1996 aggression went off in a field in Toul (Nabatieh) killing 5-year-old Ahmed Raed Moqalled and wounding his toddler friend Mahmoud Hussein Hamadi, 2 years".

"The massacre was widely condemned by political, social, religious, and health groups.
On Feb. 15, enemy warplanes dropped in the town of Siddeqeen an object which exploded and seriously burned Mohammed Nabih Balhas, 10.

"On Feb. 18, 14-year-old Hassan Talal Fneish sustained serious burns in the face as he was playing near his house in Maaroub with a booby-trapped toy that was left from the April 1996 aggression.
"On the other hand, "Israeli" gunboats stopped and searched two ships off the Tyre shore. The vessels were forced to pay the occupation forces before being allowed to disembark in the town's port.

"Concerning the "Israeli" practices inside the occupied zone, the occupation forces stormed the towns of Houla, Shibaa, and Tair Hirfa.

"On Feb. 5, a force of the Lahd militia's 20th battalion, commanded by the chief of the battalion Joseph Karam (alias Alloush), stormed the police station in Sfarieh.

"The force was looking for "conscript" militiaman Ellie Khalil. The militiamen wanted one of the Internal Security Forces' (ISF) men, a Basil Labbos, whom they accused of facilitating Khalil's escape out of the occupied zone.

"On Feb. 11, occupation forces stormed the town of Shibaa following the desertion of the militia's security chief in the town.

"Collaborator militiamen on Feb. 14 stormed several houses belonging to people who had been expelled by the occupation from the town of Tair Harfa.

The militiamen occupied the houses after ransacking and stealing their furniture.

On Feb. 16, occupation forces conducted a serious and surprising measure when they annexed the town of Arnoun into the so-called "security zone". The enemy forces placed barbed wires around the town isolating it from the adjacent liberated areas".

"Lebanon condemned the new aggressive measure which was confronted by official and popular protests".

"Students from all Lebanese universities and sects demonstrated on Feb. 26. They removed the barbed wires and crossed a fake land-mine field, thus liberating the town.

"On Feb. 6, occupation forces stormed the town of Houla following an Islamic Resistance operation which killed the Lahd militia's security chief in the town.

"Tens of residents were subjected to investigation. Some of them were detained by the occupation. Reports said some of the detainees were militia members.

"On Feb. 10, militiamen of the Twentieth battalion detained three militiamen who had deserted in the town of Arnoun. The militiamen are Habib Martinos, George Martinos, and Milad Iskandar.

"On Feb. 26, collaborator militiamen detained ISF man Hatem Jaber for unknown reasons.
"Israeli" occupation forces on Feb. 1, expelled Mrs. Jihad Hussein Moussa Nassar, 40, from her hometown of Shibaa without giving a reason".

"On Feb. 10, the collaborator militia's security chief in the town of Shibaa, Mohammed Nabaa, fled the occupied zone along with his wife and six-year-old son. He gave himself in to Lebanese authorities.

Press reports said a significant number of collaborators from the Marjeyoun area, the town of Qilia in particular, has left for Sweden via occupied Palestine. Agent Joseph Khouri and his family were among them".

"Following the Islamic Resistance's operation against an "Israeli" command convoy which resulted in the killing of the liaison unit commander Erez Gerestein and three others, the occupation forces isolated the Hasbayya area by closing the road between this area and Marjeyoun, while imposing curfew on the towns surrounding the operation site, especially Ibel al-Saqi, Kawkaba, Hasbayya, Abu Qamha, al-Ferdiss, al-Habarieh, Rashaya al-Fokhar, Kfar Romman, and al-Majidieh".

'Moreover, the occupation forces closed the crossings linking the occupied zone with the liberated areas".

"On the other hand, "Israeli" war minister Moshe Arens and his officers gave an "honorary" celebration to chief collaborator Antoine Lahd in an attempt to restore some prestige to the man whose suspicious deals and smuggling operations had been disclosed by "Israeli" Daily Ha'aretz'.

"The celebration which was held in Tabaria in occupied Palestine was attended, besides Arens, by "Israeli" coordinator in Lebanon Uri Lubrani, chief of staff Shaul Mofaz, northern area commander Gaby Ashkenazi, and liaison unit commander Erez Gerestein".

"On Feb. 10, security reports said agent Antoine Lahd visited Jezzine and listened to residents' complaints about agent Joseph Karam and his militiamen's harassment against them.

"These aggressions resulted in the martyrdom of a toddler; wounding 15 civilians and two UNIFIL troops; detaining a citizen and 3 militiamen; expelling a woman; and damaging 51 houses, 9 cars, 4 shops and a dispensary in the town of Aita al-Jabal".

"Israel", U.S. warn against ‘doing another Arnoun’ Mlikh demonstration ends after occupation forces open fire ...(1)
 "The precedent set when Arnoun was stormed by hundreds of students appears to have spread to Mlikh in Iqlim al-Touffah, with the residents staging a sit-in Sunday and vowing to “liberate” their village".

"The protest by the residents of Mlikh came despite an alleged threat from "Israel" that further “Arnouns” would not be tolerated and demonstrators risked being shot, according to Al-Hayat newspaper.

"U.S. Deputy Head of Mission in Lebanon David Hale “informed several parties that the Israelis could not stand back and do nothing if they’re faced with another Arnoun,” the newspaper said.

"The paper said that Mr. Hale advised Mr. Hoss to delay new demonstrations aimed at “liberating” other villages in the zone. However, a source in the prime minister’s office denied that Mr. Hale had been so specific.

“Mr. Hale was more general than that, calling for restraint and peace in the area,” the source said.
"Dozens of Mlikh residents staged a three-hour sit-in in Jarjouh to pressure the government to remove the thousands of land mines planted around the village and provide electricity and water to their homes".

"The sit-in began after a march towards the village came to a halt when occupation forces opened fire at them from their positions in Sojod and Aishiyeh".

"The residents held Lebanese flags and pictures of President Emile Lahoud while chanting slogans describing their wish to return to their homes".

"Mlikh is located 5 kilometers northwest of Jarjouh in Iqlim al-Touffah on the edge of the occupation
zone. The village is largely deserted and is only accessible by a single road from Jarjouh via Louaize.

Mlikh lies close to the "Israeli" outposts of Sojod, Bir Kallab, Rihan and Aramta and is regularly hit by "Israeli" shelling and air raids. Most of the population fled long ago, leaving only a handful of elderly residents".

“We pledge to our fellow residents who remain in Mlikh that we shall have no rest until we are all back in our homes together,” said Khalil Abu Zeid, a resident of Mlikh who attended the protest".

"Asked if the authorities would encourage further “Arnouns,” the prime ministerial source said the government had little say in the matter".

“Arnoun was strictly a popular, volunteer movement. The people of Mlikh will think it over and do what they must. The army will not stop them from approaching the village and the government is not interfering,” the source said.

Mlikh a different story than Arnoun…(1)
"Although the storming of Arnoun has inspired the displaced residents of Mlikh to try to snatch back their own village from occupation, the prospect of mirroring the success of the student demonstrators remains dim".

"Mlikh’s location in one of the occupation zone’s most violent sectors is likely to frustrate residents’ attempts to enlist active government support to allow them to return to their homes.

"About 100 residents Sunday staged a demonstration at Jarjouh in Iqlim al-Touffah at the junction of the single road that leads from free Lebanon to Mlikh. Any hopes of advancing toward the village ended when "Israeli" artillery shells began pounding the area.

“We’re awaiting an appointment with the president. Then we will contact syndicates, religious leaders and student groups,” Khalil Abu Zeid said Monday."

"Mr. Abu Zeid is one of the Christian residents who make up half of Mlikh’s estimated population of 2,000".

"A source in the prime minister’s office has said that the government does not intend to oppose the residents’ wishes and the army will not stand in their way should they attempt to march on the village.

But residents face an uphill struggle. Overlooked by the "Israeli" and South Lebanon Army* outposts of Sojod, Bir Kallab, Aramta and Tel Nammali, Mlikh could be a front runner for the unenviable title of most dangerous place in Lebanon".

"What buildings remained untouched by "Israeli" bulldozers and sappers were long ago destroyed in the incessant fighting that sweeps the area on an almost daily basis.

"Hundreds of land mines have been planted in the vicinity and access is denied by an earth embankment across the single road leading to the village.

"Mlikh was abandoned in 1985 but for three months in 1991 the residents were permitted to return home. The violence that envelops the district, however, soon drove the population away.

Given Mlikh’s unhealthy surroundings, why would the residents wish to return?
“The old people want to live their last few years in their homes,” said Mr. Abu Zeid. “They just want the opportunity to rebuild their homes, farm their land and be buried in their village. Over half the residents already live in dire poverty, so what difference does it make if they go back to Mlikh.”
However, one fomer resident, at least, is unimpressed with such sentiments.

“I can understand why the people from my home village are trying to return. It’s a feeling of nostalgia for a place they haven’t seen for years,” said Mohammed Daoud, who left Mlikh in 1982.
“The village is no longer habitable. It’s surrounded by "Israeli" positions, it’s full of land mines. Who really wants to live there at this time?” he said.

Mr. Daoud’s brother-in-law, Abdullah Bashir, was shot and killed by the occupation forces in 1991 when he returned to check on his house.

“He walked up to the earth barricade at the entrance of the village and they killed him. We were not allowed to collect his body and as far as I know, he’s still lying there, eight years later,” Mr. Daoud said.

LAHOUD SAID LEBANON WILL CONFRONT "ISRAELI" MANEUVERS…(1)
"President Emile Lahoud told visiting deputies that Lebanon will confront "Israeli" maneuvers. Last night, the president had charged that "Israeli" moves to alter the cease-fire understanding were simply ploys to create a gulf between Lebanon and Syria. "Israeli" officials have criticized the accord and called for amending it. Lahoud reaffirmed Lebanon will not accept any alterations. The accord gives the resistance the right to attack "Israeli" occupation forces in south Lebanon".

GETTING ROUND "ISRAELI" MEASURES IN OCCUPIED SOUTHERN Lebanon…(2)
" If none of her family members are available, schoolteacher Alia has to drag her neighbor along to accompany her to work. Her school is only two villages away within the "Israeli"-occupied zone of southern Lebanon, but without her neighbor she risks being shot or having her car seized by the "Israeli" army or its local militia allies. Alia has found in her neighbor's kindness a way of getting round a two-passenger rule imposed by "Israel" several years ago in its occupation zone" in south Lebanon in a bid to prevent suicide-bombings. "It is prohibited to drive alone," reads a placard erected at the Kfar Tebnit checkpoint, one of five passageways leading into the zone occupied since 1978. It warns that any offenders will have their vehicle seized. More than six solo drivers have been shot dead in the last 10 years. One of them, a motorcyclist, was a member of the "Israeli" proxy militia in the zone.

He was driving round in plainclothes to tell his men to fire on sight at motorbikes, which are completely banned in the enclave. The last successful suicide-bombing dates back to 1995. Carried out by the Hizbullah resistance movement. There were conflicting theories on how the suicide bomber got round the ban on lone drivers. "Israeli" officers said he had either a dummy in the passenger seat or a young girl who jumped out of the car at the last minute. The risk of being shot is not the only hazard in moving around the zone. And at night, forget it. The area seems completely deserted, with the only visible life a few stray dogs slinking furtively along the walls. The misery is compounded by the manifold inconveniences. Under "Israeli" security measures drivers are forbidden to overtake "Israeli" patrols and have to hang well back from military vehicles. Civilians sometimes drive alone within a village, but if a patrol comes from the opposite direction, a driver must pull into the verge, step down from the car, cross the road and stand on the other side until the patrol passes. “Once, I had to go urgently to Beirut, but a passing "Israeli" foot patrol made me wait half an hour. By the time I reached the crossing point it was closed and I had to wait until the next morning to get through," said an elderly woman."

"Visitors to the occupied zone, mainly those hailing from the region and a few foreign journalists, have to obtain special permits from the Lebanese army and the militia which controls the crossing points into the zone. Once the permits are checked and names are registered at the last Lebanese army checkpoint, visitors drive about a mile along an arduous mountain road toward the "Israeli" allied militia-manned crossing. Visitors walk 140 steps through a narrow concrete labyrinth to an office where militia members sign registration papers, then they and their vehicles are meticulously searched.

The drivers have to fix a special license plate to the front of their vehicles. Every resident of the border zone has his own precious permanent plate kept at the checkpoint. When leaving the zone, people are subject to the same nerve-wracking procedures. "These measures prevent us from selling our crops which often perish before even reaching the shelves. It is getting worse and many people have stopped growing anything," said a farmer. "Anyone would think we civilians are a threat to the armed forces whereas in reality we are only struggling to survive," he said. But his wife smiled, recalling the time when a mischievous nine-year-old girl wanted to play a trick on an "Israeli" patrol by filling up a bottle with a dark liquid and leaving it in the middle of the road. "They cordoned off the whole area, searched nearby fields and started shooting at the poor bottle. The situation is so tense here it is getting ridiculous," she said.

"Israeli" gunships lurk over Beirut
 "Lebanese Army units were placed on full alert Friday night after three "Israeli" helicopter formations ranged deep into northern and eastern Lebanon, raising fears of an imminent attack.

The heightened tension came hours after "Israeli" Defense (War) Minister Moshe Arens declared that Lebanon was a “powderkeg” waiting to explode if Hizbullah continued its attacks on the occupation forces.

“Lebanese Army units observed three "Israeli" helicopter groups over Beirut, the Ibrahim River area in north Lebanon and Shmustar village in the eastern Bekaa,” a military source said.

The source added that the helicopter gunships had been joined by warplanes.

“We think the target of these military moves is to launch an attack … So our troops ­ mainly anti-aircraft units ­ were put on alert to face any possible aggression,” the source said.

Unifil sources said that the area under their control in the south was quiet.

No resistance attacks were immediately reported north of the Unifil area.

"The overflights appeared to be a muscle-flexing exercise designed to back up the bellicose threats from the "Israeli" government in the past week, threatening to retaliate heavily for resistance attacks on "Israeli" troops in the south"…(1)

For its part, the IR reported that the "Israeli" occupation forces staged the following aggressions:

Between 11:45 and 12:10, the area between the villages of Zibqeen and Henneih was bombarded by twenty 155mm missiles.
11:50, three 160mm missiles struck the residential quarters of Zillaya village damaging several houses.
12:40, Mount Nasser-Eddine, at the outskirts of Zibqeen, was hit by seven 155mm missiles.

"Israeli" maneuvers in Negev storm and destroy Hizbullah positions and Lebanese facilities…(2)

"London-based Al-Moharir News weekly said British defensive sources unveiled that ""Israeli" elite military forces on March 4 staged large-scale maneuvers at the Negev Desert in which "Israeli" troops stormed into military positions and civilian buildings identical to ones belonging to Hizbullah in Baalbek, western Beqaa, and Beirut's southern and Beirut itself, besides Lebanese economic facilities.

US-made Copra and Apatchi helicopters staged attacks with missiles at other buildings built at the "Israeli" military base of Tseleem representing electricity stations, water refineries, wheat storehouses, bridges, barracks, along with Hizbullah training camps, social, economic, and media facilities, the weekly said.

"The maneuvers also attacked "targets" of the most important Syrian deployment bases in Beqaa, the mountain, and Beirut.

"Israeli" daily Yedioth Ahranot described the maneuvers, which took place at the base in which a number of "Israeli" officers and troops had been killed during similar games, as "a James Bond movie whose director enjoys vast imagination."

"Al-Moharir News said the "Israeli" step was a mixture of psychological warfare and threat.

"The same weekly said ""Israel"" has "officially" asked for US technological assistance in specifying the movements of Hizbullah Secretary General Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah "in order to get rid of him in an air strike or any other way".

"Al-Moharir News gave no further details on the "Israeli" request, but quoted Washington
"specialized circles' as saying that "Israeli" satellites which are equipped with sophisticated photography devices constantly "comb" Beirut's southern suburbs, but are unable to spot the movements of the Hizbullah Secretary General".

President and Premier accuse "Israel" of stepping up tension…(1)
"President Emile Lahoud Saturday accused "Israel" of creating tension with its military night flights over Lebanon, describing them as a violation of Lebanese sovereignty".

"The action illustrates "Israel's" aggressive policy aimed at creating tension, in particular after Lebanon refused to modify the 1996 understandings," he said in a statement carried by the official National News Agency".

""Israeli" war minister Moshe Arens said earlier this month that his entity might stop observing the understanding's conditions, which prevent targeting civilians".

"Lahoud's remarks echoed those of Prime Minister Dr Salim al-Hoss, who criticized today (yesterday) the intensive "Israeli" flights over Beirut and other parts of Lebanon, saying they were intended to terrorize civilians.

"The heavy hovering of "Israeli" warplanes over Lebanon last night shows "Israel's" determination to violate Lebanon's sovereignty, scaring peaceful inhabitants, mainly women, old people and children," al-Hoss said in a statement".

"If Israel thinks it can intimidate us and make us relinquish our right to demand an unconditional "Israeli" retreat, it is dreaming, because our position is unshakable," he added.

Students mark anniversary of the "Israeli" occupation at UN House…(1)
 “This isn’t your land, so beat it” and “Lebanon isn’t a pie. Stop slicing it up.” With these simple yet emotive slogans, some 300 students marched Sunday to mark the anniversary of the 1978 "Israeli" invasion of the south.

"With yellow ribbons, the symbol of solidarity with people living under the occupation, pinned to their chests, students from some of Beirut’s most prestigious private schools walked from the College Protestant Francais (CPF) to the United Nations House in downtown Beirut.

They submitted letters to UN representatives condemning the laxity in implementing Resolution 425 that leaves 11 percent of Lebanon occupied.

Despite their digital camcorders, cellular phones and designer sunglasses, the students were serious in their resentment of the 21-year old "Israeli" occupation.

“We have a mistaken reputation that all we care about is partying, riding in fancy cars and checking out pretty girls,” said Fadi Bizri, 18, a permanent member of Comite d’Action, a student club at CPF.

“We are living in a country fighting for a cause that should be won. We’ve just started acting the way others before us should have and we sure feel that we will make an impact on everyone around us,” he added.

"All students at the march seemed adamant about getting their message across to as many people as possible ­ particularly the young.

“"Israel's" aggression should be common knowledge,” said Lana Khalil, 17, of Fight "Israeli" State "Terrorism (FIST), a student committee at the American Community School. “If we remain silent,
nothing will stop our aggressors from escalating their crimes,” said Lana.

Her letter to the United Nations, which she read in English to the enthusiastic crowd blocking the streets across from UN House, was the story of Abu Ali, a man who lost his wife, children and land during the 1978 invasion.

"In her letter, which was greeted with loud applause, Lana said: “If we want "Israeli" brutality to end, Lebanese people should unite and put behind them their sectarian bull” ­ the actual word was longer and more colorful.

Students also submitted two other letters, in French and Arabic, to Nejib Friji, the information officer at Escwa.

“Does the United Nations really exist? I don’t think so ­ at least not when it comes to Resolution 425,” said CPF student Nadim Deaibes.

Students shouted for an end to "Israel's" occupation, sang the national anthem and chanted revolutionary tunes. They distributed Lebanese flags to passers-by and collected donations for the International Committee of the Red Cross.

“Why should I need a permit to visit my relatives and friends in my village and why should they be isolated from us by a stupid gate?” asked 15-year old Nouhad Mouawad, a 10th grade student at ACS who is originally from Jezzine.

“I know carrying banners and chanting on the streets won’t liberate the occupied south, but it will show how the young can push for change. Every little bit helps,” said Alfred Tarazi, 18, who came with some 10 other classmates from the Louis Wegmann school.

"Other students expressed regret that their peaceful protest could not be scheduled during a weekday, to get the message out to more of the public.

“It’s a shame we weren’t allowed to demonstrate except on a Sunday when there’s no one on the streets to see us,” said Tamim Bazzi, 16, head of the Student Representative Council at the International College. Demonstrations are allowed Sundays without a license from the Interior Ministry.

“But at least we have the chance to send our message across to people around the world through the media, a luxury that students before us did not enjoy,” said Tamim, a ninth grade student who grew up in France".

In the south, focus is on front-line villages…(2)
"Lebanese across the country commemorated Sunday the 21st anniversary of "Israel's" first invasion
with demonstrations and declarations of support for those living under "Israeli" occupation.

In the early morning, hundreds flocked to Nabatieh and front-line villages, including Arnoun, to express their solidarity with residents. Roadblocks were erected in most villages in the south and in "Beirut where volunteers distributed pamphlets and yellow ribbons" “March 14 is an event that chronicles "Israel's" brutality against children, the elderly and women,” read one banner in Zahrani.

Wreaths were laid on the graves of victims of the Qana massacre while boy scouts holding lit candles led processions through the streets of the village. In Baalbek, residents burned the "Israeli" flag while in Hermel, cars equipped with loudspeakers toured the region playing national songs".

"Elsewhere in the Bekaa, Hizbullah set up points to collect donations and distribute yellow ribbons.

They also burned the "Israeli" flag at the entrance of Baalbek.

"ISRAEL" EXPELS POLICEMAN FROM ZONE…(1)
""Israel" today (yesterday) expelled a Lebanese policeman from the occupation zone in south Lebanon accusing him of collaborating with the state's intelligence services. The policeman had been held for three months at the "Israeli" run detention center in the zone. Hatem Jabr Hadithi told reporters he was subjected to torture and maltreatment. He was forced to leave behind his wife and three children.
WESTERN MEDIA NOT FAIR WHEN REPORTING ON SOUTH Lebanon…(2)
"As part of events to coincide with the day of solidarity with south Lebanon and the western Bekaa, the Ministry of Information on Friday took foreign journalists to areas on the front-lines to highlight the conflict there. More on that tour and Lebanon's coverage in the international media in this report.

Report: "Israeli" troops have been occupying areas in south Lebanon since 1978. And over the past 21 years, villagers living on the front-lines have had to face daily hardships and constant shelling. The Ministry of Information took international journalists on a tour of these villages. The purpose,
organizers say, is to allow these reporters and photographers to experience first hand the situation on the ground. Lebanon's Speaker of Parliament, Nabih Berri said that (dubbing): "We all know that the killing of "Israeli" soldiers who are occupying our land makes headlines in the western media. But the death of Lebanese men, women and children in "Israeli" attacks is never covered. There is a clear and obvious bias". International and Arab journalists agree that the world only understands the story from the other side of the border. Stefano de Paolis, Italian news agency said that: the "Israelis" make more noise story coming from Tel Aviv and Jerusalem. Dr. Mohammed Saed Idriss, Khaleej newspaper said that: there is no good coverage for all that is happening here in south Lebanon.

United Nations peacekeepers who have been here since 1978 escorted the journalists to villages that lie underneath "Israeli" manned positions. The blue berets have over the years tried to provide southerners with protection but there is only so much they can do. This is a mass grave in the village of Qana. It was here where over 100 Lebanese men, women and children were killed. They were taking shelter in a UN base when "Israeli" gunners pounded it in April 1996".

"Timor Goksel, spokesman of UN peacekeepers in south, said that: "those based in Lebanon cover it quite well. They know what the story is they can ask. But the dangerous coverage about south Lebanon is by so called experts who don't know much about Lebanon and then make comments that is dangerous. They have preconceptions about what the story is. Lebanon has long argued that the world tends to forget that "Israel" is the occupier and attacks against its troops are legitimized under a cease-fire accord. The tour comes amid efforts by authorities to launch an international media campaign against "Israel". But organizers admit that will not be easy. In the interim, villagers were out in force hoping that their voices would reach the world. There is widespread belief in Lebanon that the international media does not cover properly the south Lebanon conflict. It is either ignored or reports tend to be biased toward "Israel". And that is why the Ministry of Information organized this tour hoping to raise awareness among international journalists about the conflict here, the suffering of southerners and "Israel's" 21 year old occupation of Lebanese territories".

"ISRAEL" TARGETS AREAS IN SOUTH LEBANON AS MONITORING GROUP MEETS…(1)
""Israel" has stepped up its attacks on south Lebanon by carrying out air raids and pounding the outskirts of villages with artillery fire. This as the five nation cease-fire monitoring group discusses complaints filed by Lebanon that "Israel" violated the truce by targeting civilians and property in the south".

" Early this (yesterday) morning, "Israeli" warplanes raided areas north of the zone "Israel" occupies in south Lebanon. The "Israeli" fighter bombers fired two missiles into a valley near the village of Jabal al-Boutom, north of the western edge of the zone. "Israeli" artillery pounded with more than 50 shells the outskirts of the villages of Zibkin, Yater and Kafra as well as other nearby locations east of the port city of Tyre. There were no casualties or damage in the attacks. The Hizbullah resistance movement meanwhile said its fighters had attacked several positions of "Israeli" occupation troops and their local allies in Tair Harfa and Rahrah in the central sector. In Naquora, the five nation cease-fire monitoring group is discussing a complaint filed by Lebanon. Beirut is accusing "Israel" of violating the April cease-fire understanding by injuring Lebanese civilians and inflicting property damage. The truce bans attacks on and from civilian areas but permits the Lebanese resistance to launch attacks against "Israeli" occupation troops in the south. Sunday, a 33 year old woman and her husband were wounded when "Israeli" artillery shelled the front line village of Hadatha. A number of cars and houses were also damaged when some 60 "Israeli" shells fell on Hadatha. "Israel" has also lodged two complaints to the group accusing the resistance of launching attacks from civilian areas".

Euro-MPs demand "Israeli" withdrawal…(2)
"In a rare such admission by Western politicians, a European Parliament delegation chastized "Israel" Tuesday, saying its security concerns were no justification for occupying another country.

The delegates also reiterated support for Lebanon’s demand for unconditional implementation of UN Resolution 425."

“We’re intentionally making our position more explicit than before because it has to be clear: There is only one way for comprehensive peace and this is full unconditional "Israeli" withdrawal from south Lebanon as well as the Golan Heights,” said Hannes Swoboda, an Austrian who is also the vice president of the EP’s Socialist Group.

"Mr. Swoboda, on a two-day visit with three of his EP colleagues, was speaking at a news conference in Beirut. The delegation arrived Monday after visiting Syria for two days.

Mr. Swoboda said the EU was against "Israel" using security as an argument to occupy south Lebanon. “No country in the world can use the argument of security to occupy another country, or else everybody would be doing it,” he said after a visit to President Emile Lahoud.

Mr. Swoboda also said the EU believed that the Lebanese Army was capable of controlling the situation after an "Israeli" withdrawal.

Mr. Swoboda also referred to last week’s verbal note to "Israel" in which the European Union stated its support for the internationalization of Jerusalem. The letter was viewed as a severe political blow to "Israel".

“Our friendship and cooperation with Arab countries is in danger, more and more, because of these interruptions of the peace process,” he said. “We can’t allow good relations between Europe and Arab countries become distraught by the government of "Israel".”

Mr. Swoboda also said the EU was working on changing attitudes in "Israel" itself by maintaining what he said were close contacts with members of the "Israeli" Knesset.

“We have close contacts with civil society in "Israel", and with mothers whose sons have been killed in south Lebanon,” the legislator said.

“It’s our obligation to have relations with "Israel",” he added, “and to support politically, morally and financially all those groups in "Israel" that are in favor of peace.”

The delegation is also looking into the living conditions of Palestinian refugees in Lebanon and in Syria.

"Claude Delacroix, a Belgian member of the EP’s Committee for Development and Institutional affairs, said the delegation visited a Palestinian camp in Damascus during their visit to Syria and were relatively satisfied with what they saw".

13 face prison after ‘spying for "Israelis"’…(3)
"Eleven men and two women were charged Tuesday with collaborating with "Israel" and spying on the Lebanese and Syrian armies and Lebanese and Palestinian leftist groups, a judicial source in Beirut said.

"Assistant military prosecutor Myassar Shokor said the 13 were believed to have been recruited by "Israeli" intelligence to collect information about the Lebanese and Syrian military forces, in addition to the Communist Party, Hizbullah, the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine and the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine".

"Mr. Shokor requested sentences from 3 to 15 years in prison with hard labor, according to the source, who spoke on the condition of anonymity.

Before the suspects are sent to court, Mr. Shokor’s list of charges requires the approval of military investigating magistrate Riad Talih, who has the right to produce a different list of charges and propose different sentences.

"The group was uncovered after the arrest and interrogation of an officer of the pro-"Israeli" South Lebanon Army last month. The officer, Mohammed Khalil Ibrahim Nabaa, was responsible for security in the village of Shebaa in the western sector of the occupied zone. He is believed to have spied on the PFLP and facilitated the arrest of some of the group’s fighters".

"The other men are Bassem Mohammed Ghader, Khaled Mohammed Asaad, Mohammed Taysir Qaadan and his brother Majed, an army conscript, and Jamal Mohammed Rahil and his brothers Saeb and Khaled, a soldier in the Lebanese Army, police Sergeant Nabil Amin Ghannam, Omran Deeb Daakour and Mohammed Khalil Hussein Nabaa. The women are Jihad Hussein Nassar and Ikram Ali Sheet".

"Some, including Mohammed Khalil Hussein Nabaa, are also suspected of selling drugs to "Israeli" troops in the zone and smuggling European and U.S.-made cigarettes into Lebanon".

Qantara: A southern village struggling for survival…(4)
"The renewed debate over a possible "Israeli" withdrawal from the south has had little impact on the daily struggle for survival experienced by the few elderly, war-weary residents of Qantara, a village tucked just inside the central sector of the occupation zone".

"On a wet winter’s morning, the sky a mantle of gray cloud, Qantara’s single deserted road and bombed-out houses provide a bleak testimony to the hardships of the handful of residents remaining.

Only 30 elderly villagers remain in the village eking out a precarious living from planting tobacco and tending the wizened olive trees surrounding the village. Given the meager income generated by local farming, the residents are forced to rely more on occasional handouts from Unifil and the International Committee for the Red Cross".

“The economic situation here is very bad,” said Mohammed Atwi, 68, the only villager interviewed by The Daily Star who was willing to give his name.

“If I could leave I would. I only have some olives and one cow, which gives us some yogurt ­ enough to eat but not enough to sell. Someone from the Red Cross passes by every four months and gives us some rice, butter and oil. That’s how we survive,” he said.

"Outside Mr. Atwi’s cold, cheerless house, thunder rumbled across the rolling landscape and wind lashed the windows with rain. Mr. Atwi tugged his brown wool abaya more tightly around his shoulders".

"Just up the road from his house lies a position manned by the South Lebanon Army*. The outpost
dominates the village and is regularly targeted by the resistance, firing mortars from outside the zone.

Inevitably, "Israeli" artillery located in either Khiam or Meiss al-Jabal pound the areas from where the attacks are staged, while SLA machine gunners in the Qantara post and other nearby positions in Qsair and Salah spray the surrounding countryside with bullets".

"During the 1978 invasion, fierce battles were fought in Qantara between Palestinian guerrillas and "Israeli" troops. Several residents were killed in the conflict, including Mr. Atwi’s first wife.

Following the deployment of Unifil troops in the south, "Israeli" forces retreated to the border and Qantara fell under the auspices of Finnish peacekeepers".

"But following the second "Israeli" invasion four years later, the village was incorporated into the occupation zone.

"Qantara is separated from state-controlled Lebanon by the yawning depths of Wadi Hojeir, which snakes north from Wadi Salouqi to reach the Litani River below the village of Qaaqaaiet al-Jisr.

Although Qantara is only 10 minutes drive from edge of the zone, the road running between the village and Ghandourieh is open only for UN personnel. All residents wishing to leave the zone have to pass through the SLA checkpoint at Kfar Tibnit near Nabatieh, a journey of around one hour.

Qantara’s isolation from the rest of Lebanon is highlighted by the proximity of the front line village of Qabrikha, lying barely 1 kilometer away on the other side of Wadi Hojeir.

“We do feel it’s unfair when we look at Qabrikha. We have no one here to tell us ‘God give you strength’,” said an elderly women as she brewed tea.

The villagers have suffered from a lack of water since the system was destroyed by shelling 14 years ago.

“We had to collect our water from the spring and carry it back home on our heads just as our ancestors used to do,” the woman said.

"Now, they pay LL30,000 to have water delivered by truck from Kfar Kila.

Wrapped in blankets and huddled over the stove ­ the only source of heat in their home ­ the elderly couple had clearly lost any defiance they might have had to the occupation. Amid the demands of daily survival, they suffered a personal tragedy when their daughter was killed by a roadside bomb outside the village in 1991".

“She went to the SLA position to ask permission to leave the village. She was returning from the post with a friend when the bomb exploded. Both of them were killed instantly,” she recalled. Then she lapsed into silence, tears trickling down the creases of her cheeks.

"On the eastern outskirts of the village lies the Finnish battalion’s 9-50 outpost. The 12 soldiers manning the small post spend their entire year-long tour alternating between 9-50 and 9-51 located on the hill above the village. The post is only 100 meters from the SLA position and as such the
soldiers manning 9-50 record many “firings close” when resistance mortar rounds explode nearby".

“We’ve had a number of firings close in the last 10 months. If the shells hit 200 meters or less from our post we go into the bunkers,” said Lieutenant Jukka Sepata, the officer commanding the 9-50 post.

" The platoon patrols the  village twice a day to ensure there are no "Israeli" or SLA troop infiltrations and to check on the well-being of the villagers"

"The soldiers’ greatest enemy is boredom. Other than a gym and a collection of video tapes, the platoon has little else to do other than add to the collection of rusting shell and mortar casings, exploded Katyusha rockets and other assorted ordinance deposited in one corner of the outpost".

"But for the villagers, the presence of Unifil soldiers has imparted a degree of reassurance that at least somebody has their interests at heart".

 Civilian wounded in "Israeli" air raids
"An elderly civilian woman was wounded Tuesday night when "Israeli" warplanes staged several raids near villages facing the western sector of the occupation zone".

"Several bombs were dropped at 5 P.M. between Jabal Botom and Zibqine. The warplanes returned 20 minutes later and bombed the area surrounding Shaitieh, just north of Zibqine.

Wassila Khalil, 67, from Zibqine, was struck in the head by shrapnel when a bomb exploded beside her as she was working in a field. She was transferred to state hospital in Tyre where doctors said
her condition was stable. Eight houses in Zibqine were also damaged in the attack.

Army units and Hizbullah fighters fired anti-aircraft guns at the "Israeli" jets. The raids came shortly after the Blat and Teir Harfa outposts were shelled by the resistance."

"Another civilian, Youssef Alayan, was wounded Tuesday when the resistance fired rounds at the Biyada radar station"…(1)

For its part, the Islamic Resistance (IR) mentioned, in its statement, the following "Israeli" aggressions (2):
11:05, two 155mm missiles hit Mount Sojod.
16:55, the west of Yater and south of Jibal El-Botom subjected to four 155mm missiles.
17:05, seven 155mm missiles pounded into the south of Jibal El-Botom.

Prime Minister Salim Hoss condemned the demolitions and Lebanon filed a complaint with the five-nation Monitoring Group over the incident".

"A 20-man SLA (militia) patrol accompanied by two armored personnel carriers and a jeep descended the road between Beaufort Castle and Arnoun at 2.30 P.M. The militiamen warned the residents to stay away “for their own safety” because they were about to explode roadside bombs
that had been discovered in one of the houses".

"The villagers immediately moved to the entrance of the village and shortly afterward heard two massive explosions. Two homes, belonging to Ahmad Qotbay and Zeinab and Mariam Tawbe, were completely flattened while a third house, owned by Nimr and Mohammed Nayef Olleiq, was partially destroyed. The homes were abandoned in 1985".

"The SLA (collaboratos) incursion was the first serious incident to have occurred in the village since hundreds of students stormed Arnoun last month, one day after the "Israelis" cordoned off the village with barbed wire and land-mine warning signs".

"Mr. Hoss sharply criticized what he called the “new "Israeli" piracy” against Arnoun, which he said was an act that should be swiftly condemned by the Monitoring Group".

“"Israel's" blowing up of homes in Arnoun is an insolent aggression, not only against Lebanon and a safe village, but also against the international will which welcomed a few days ago the liberation of
Arnoun from the "Israeli" occupation,” he said in a statement"…(1)

In it statement, the IR mentioned the following "Israeli" aggressions (2):
Between 5:40 and 6:00, the outskirts of Aita El-Jabal exposed to 12.7mm heavy machine gun fire.
Between 6:15 and 6:25, Mount Sojod was bombarded by five 120mm shells, four tank rounds and one 155mm missiles.
6:20, the surroundings of Sojod outpost subjected to a volley of 12.7mm heavy machine gun rounds.
Between 6:25 and 7:10, Mlita Hill was targeted by six 155mm missiles and one 120mm shell.
7:35, a barrage of 12.7mm heavy machine gun rounds struck the surroundings of Bir Kallab outpost.
7:55, seven 120mm shells pounded into the perimeters of Loweizeh village.
14:30, the "Israeli" occupation forces destroyed, at Arnoun village, the houses of the nationals Salim and Youssef Ahmad Qatbay and damaged the houses of Mustafa Mohammad Olleik and Nasser Nayef Olleik.
14:40, the perimeters of Jibal El-Botom came under three 155mm missiles and three 120mm shells.
14:45, Mount Al-Rafih was shelled by five 155mm missiles.
Between 15:20 and 15:50, the surroundings of Haddatha compound exposed to 12.7mm heavy machine gun fire.

"ISRAEL" STEPS UP AGGRESSIONS AS MONITORING GROUP MEETS…(1)
""Israeli" warplanes this (yesterday) morning carried out a series of air raids in south Lebanon and the western Beqaa. "Israeli" jets also flew at low altitude over Beirut. The raids came an hour after the monitoring group convened to discuss Lebanese and "Israeli" complaints".

" Two jets fired at least three missiles on a valley located near Birkit Jabbour in the western Bekaa. Fifteen minutes later, jets fired a missile on the outskirts of the southern village of Okmata in the Iklim al-Tuffah mountain ridge. The raids came an hour after the five nation cease-fire monitoring group convened in the occupied border town of Naquora to discuss five Lebanese and "Israeli" complaints.
The group observers a cease-fire understanding in south Lebanon that bans attacks on and from civilian areas but permits the Lebanese resistance to attack "Israeli" occupation troops and their local allies in south Lebanon. Lebanon lodged a complaint to protest the wounding of a 60 year old woman in an "Israeli" air raid on the southern village of Zibkin. Beirut also protested Thursday the incursion by "Israeli" allied militiamen into the southern village of Arnoun during which they blew up two deserted homes. Explosives detonated by remote control blasted apart the homes and damaged a third in Arnoun which "Israel" and its allies briefly occupied last month. In Beirut a security source questioned how "Israeli" troops and their allies find the explosives if they did not enter the village last night. "Lebanon's Prime Minister Selim el-Hoss denounced the explosions as "Israeli" piracy and called on the international community to intervene. He said "Israel" had violated the cease-fire by destroying the homes".

Condensed "Israeli" aggressions against Arnoun…(1)
""Israeli" occupation forces staged more aggressions against the town of Arnoun. A security source in Nabatieh announced that an "Israeli" bulldozer, reinforced by a motorized force, broadened the route from the Beaufort Castle to the gate which had been installed by the "Israeli" enemy at the town's
upper quarter".

"The "Israeli" bulldozer also leveled the debris of the Arnoun houses which had been destroyed by a collaborating force two days ago, in the eastern part of the town".

"The destroyed houses belonged to Abbas Alawieh, Qassem Marouni, Abdel-Hussein Qatbay, Muslim Ajami, Nimr Jabber, Ibrahim Hamdan and Yahia Muslim.

"In the meantime, an "Israeli" motorized force which was on the road to the Beaufort Castle fired 3
rounds on the vicinity of the castle.

"Earlier, Arnoun residents heard three explosions Friday night after two "Israeli" tanks arrived in the village from Beaufort Castle, according to a security source.

"The residents said the blasts, which occurred at 8.40 p.m., resembled the noise made Thursday when two homes were demolished by occupation forces.

"Elsewhere, a demonstration was staged in Nabatieh to protest the "Israeli" aggressions against the children of the south".

"Demonstrators crossed the city and then gathered in front of the Husseiniet where Sheikh Abdul Hussein Sadeq made a statement in which he denounced the "Israeli" aggressions and called on the UN along with the international community to pressure "Israel" to implement Resolution 425".

"Today (yesterday), "Israeli" occupation forces bombarded Wadi Zillaya, Maidoun and al-Qatrani Hilltops, while enemy helicopter gunships hovered at a low altitude over front lines in the Western Beqaa"

"On the other hand, witnesses from the occupied zone said "Israeli" occupation forces and their collaborators at the al-Hamra Bridge crossing barred occupied zone residents who wanted to travel to Mecca for Hajj from crossing to liberated areas".

"The occupation and its collaborators also confiscated an ambulance belonging to the town of Tair Harfa".

"Israeli" attempts to dynamite April Understanding
"The April Understanding Monitoring Group has been in session since Friday morning to examine five complaints, including "Israeli" dynamiting of houses in Arnoun.

"Meanwhile, "Israel" on Friday night threatened to stop dealing with the group.

"Lebanese stonewalling over an incident in the village of Arnoun could spell the end of Western-backed 1996 agreements in which both sides promised not to strike at or from civilian areas, an "Israeli" security source said on Friday, according to Reuters.

"The Likud-led government is in any case unhappy with the agreements, which were reached by the previous Labor party government after some 200 Lebanese civilians were killed in its 17-day "Grapes of Wrath'' offensive against Hizbullah, the agency added.

The agreements are supervised by a monitoring group which includes representatives of Lebanon, Syria, ""Israel"", the United States and France".

An "Israeli" security source said Lebanon's representatives in the group refused to acknowledge "documented facts'' proving that there were explosives in Arnoun.

"The behavior of the Lebanese delegation significantly hurts the group's functioning and threatens to turn the Arnoun incident into one that will signal the end of the understandings,'' the source said.

The "Israeli" army claimed that its militia had found five explosive devices in Arnoun on Thursday and destroyed two abandoned houses near the place they were hidden.

Prime Minister Salim al-Hoss denounced the destruction of the houses as ""Israeli" piracy'' and called on the international community to intervene.

"Israeli" war minister Moshe Arens complained last week that the 1996 agreements put ""Israel"" at a "big disadvantage'' but would be hard to disavow as they were "tantamount to an agreement with international connotations.''

"Lebanese National News agency said discussions at the group's meeting were heated".
"Lebanon's delegate Col. Maher al-Toufaili dismissed the "Israeli" claims that there were bombs in Arnoun.

Backed by the Syrian delegate, al-Toufaili stressed that ""Israel"" aims to create confusion and tensions (through these claims).

"If the Resistance had planted the bombs, it would have detonated them against the "Israeli" forces and Lahd militia because the April Understanding protects civilians not the occupation forces and their collaborators", al-Toufaili said…(1)

""Israel" was judged to have violated the understanding for an air raid on Zibqine last week which wounded a civilian and damaged houses… Even before the five delegates began their deliberations, there was considerable speculation that the "Israelis" had fabricated the discovery of the bombs in Arnoun to force an urgent session of the group".

"There has been a suggestion that the "Israeli" army is seeking to re-incorporate Arnoun inside the occupation zone as a prelude to a partial withdrawal to the Litani river. Such a redeployment would lead to Beaufort castle, which overlooks the village, becoming the only "Israeli" post north of the Litani. Securing Arnoun within the zone would prevent Hizbullah from using the buildings as cover to launch close-quarter operations against the "Israeli" army".

"The "Israelis" were never likely to gain reassurances from Lebanon during the meeting that their troops would not be attacked from Arnoun by the resistance. Consequently, the "Israeli" army may soon take matters into their own hands and seal off Arnoun with barbed wire and land mines".

"Elsewhere, a shepherd was lightly wounded when one of his flock stepped on an "Israeli" land mine on the outskirts of Majdal Silm, on the edge of the zone’s central sector.

"Qassem Maas was treated in Tibnine hospital before being released. The incident occurred in almost the same place as an "Israeli" double roadside bomb blast which killed three civilians in Dec. 1997.

Meanwhile, a high ranking SLA ("Israeli" proxy militia) officer, Adel Younes, 30, and two other militiamen were arrested by "Israeli" troops Sunday on suspicion of aiding Hizbullah guerrillas".

"Younes, from Ain Qenya, is reportedly suspected of having helped Khaled Munzer, a militiaman from Ibl es-Saqi, to defect to the government last week. ­ with agencies"…(2)

Arnoun residents fear return of "Israelis"…(3)
"The joy felt by the residents of Arnoun when hundreds of students released the village from occupation last month has turned to a feeling of anxiety following the demolition of two houses by the occupation forces Thursday".

"Residents fear their new found freedom may be coming to an end with a sudden increase in "Israeli" and South Lebanon Army* militia activity over the weekend. This sense of gloom matched the weather Sunday as a cold wind moaned through the newly-strung electricity cables and icy rain spattered the pristine, black asphalt roads laid in the days after Arnoun was freed".

"Hunched over a small brazier of burning twigs, Hussein Marouni, 65, said that the mood had begun to change in the village. “The situation was good for a while after the liberation. But since the demolition of these houses, we have become very worried that the "Israelis" will come back,” he said.

"Israeli" troops blew up two houses Thursday afternoon after claiming to have found roadside bombs beside one of the buildings".

"Friday night, the SLA began removing the rubble from 24 houses lining the lane leading to the castle, apparently to widen the road. The buildings were bulldozed by the "Israelis" in December and January. Troops were clearly visible Sunday morning erecting concrete T-walls along the edge of the road to provide cover for soldiers in the event of an attack".

"An "Israeli" patrol, accompanied by a bomb-sniffing dog and two armored personnel carriers, inched its way down the road from the castle towards the swing gate. Mr. Marouni stiffened in case the soldiers planned to cross over into unoccupied Arnoun. As they neared the gate, several soldiers raised their assault rifles and aimed them at a group of reporters. This alarming gesture, however, was tempered by the knowledge that they were only using their telescopic sights to gain a better look".

"This time the patrol chose not to cross the swing gate, instead turning down the road running past the two demolished houses leading to Kfar Tibnit. The road is the only access route linking Beaufort castle with the rest of the occupation zone".

"Ali Ahmad Ghazal, 51, who was detained and interrogated for 56 days in Khiam last year, smiled when asked if he believed the "Israelis" had really found roadside bombs".

“No,” he said. “I think they used the bombs as an excuse to blow up the houses. They are trying to stir things up.”

"Although released last November, he returned to Arnoun only a week ago".

Hasbaya blockade enters fourth day; Bayyada Sheiks call for boycotting occupation…(1)
"The "Israeli" blockade imposed on the occupied towns of Hasbaya, Ain-Qinia, and Ibl as-Saqi entered its fourth day. Occupation forces are barring 11,000 residents from leaving the occupied southern zone.

Moreover, "Israelis" detained, questioned, and threatened about 50 Lebanese, with some later released.

"The arbitrary measures have evoked angry reactions by residents and religious leaders. Druze sheikhs in al-Bayyada held a meeting at which they discussed the recent "Israeli" measures.

"The sheiks condemned the "Israeli" arbitrary acts and called for rejecting any form of dealing with the occupation, especially at the economic level.

"Al-Safir newspaper said the Khalwat al-Bayyada sheiks, with the religious and moral position they represent, have become engaged in a direct confrontation with the occupation.

Residents have been instructed, through religious channels, to boycott "Israeli" goods, reject any collaboration with the occupation, and adhere to the Lebanese legitimacy and institutions, on top of which President Emile Lahoud, the daily said.

"Al-Safir said the "Israeli" indiscriminate arrests in Hasbayya and neighboring villages aimed to intimidate residents as "Israeli" feared that the Druze sheikhs' movement may turn into a general anti-occupation uprising".

"During the Bayyada meeting, the sheikhs condemned the "Israeli" practices and urged national and international groups to end the towns' siege, stop the occupation's terrorist acts, and secure the release of civilian detainees".

"Moreover, reports from the occupied zone said the "Israeli" enemy at 17:00 yesterday leveled a house in the occupied town of Houla, without declaring the reasons for the terrorist act".

"A collaborating force protected the "Israeli" bulldozers during the demolition process".

Hizbullah: Hasbayya blockade reveals "Israeli" confusion and suspicion…(2)
"Hizbullah today (yesterday) said the blockade of the Hasbayya area in south Lebanon, in addition to storming houses and detaining civilians, are aggressions that reveal the confusion and suspicion the "Israelis" are experiencing as well as the enemy's grudge against the civilians who refuse to co-exist with it and submit to its occupation".

"These spiteful "Israeli" aggressions proved to be useless in convincing honorable civilians to collaborate with the enemy or give up to its occupation and terrorism, a Hizbullah statement read.

Strongly condemning the aggressive "Israeli" measures, the statement affirmed Hizbullah's solidarity with the Hasbayya residents and praised the Druze religious leaders' stance at al-Bayyada meeting "which expressed a national commitment to the Resistance and confronting the occupation."

We are certain that the Zionist enemy will never be safe or stable in our land. It has only one option: an unconditional withdrawal from all the occupied zone, the statement read.

CIA: "Israel" uncertain about agents' loyalty…(1)
"The confrontation between the Bayyada Sheikhs on one hand and "Israeli" occupation forces and their collaborators on the other has intensified".

"The occupation and its agents have been imposing curfew in Hasbayya, Ainqinia, and Ibl as-Saqi. Several residents, including collaborator militiamen, have been detained by the occupation.

On the other hand, Lebanese security sources said occupation forces have released the agent officer in the Lahd militia Adel Younes (of Ainqinia) who had been detained 4 days ago".

"Reports from the occupied zone said a state of outrage is prevailing in the Hasbayya area with residents rejecting the practices of the occupation and its collaborators, while adhering to Lebanese institutions and government".

"The "Israeli" closure is taking its toll on the residents, although the occupation has allowed 6 trucks to pass through the Zimrayya crossing and transfer food into the besieged towns".

"In a related development, al-Kifah al-Arabi newspaper's correspondent in Washington said ""Israel" Wire" published that ""Israel"" had "detained three intelligence officers of the allied Southern Lebanese Army on Sunday, suspecting them of providing information pertaining to "Israeli" activities in southern Lebanon to Hizbullah according to foreign media reports."

"Adel Younes, a militia liaison officer with ""Israel's"" Mossad Intelligence Agency, was among those held on suspicion of helping Hizbullah", the "Israeli" news wire added.

"It was first reported that the persons under arrest may have assisted Hizbullah in the ambush of an "Israeli" convoy in the "security zone" in which Brig.-Gen. Erez Gerstein was killed, but "Israeli" Radio on Monday reported that it has already been established that this was not the case, it claimed.

An "Israeli" army spokesman added that the incident is one of the continued "psychological" warfare being waged against the "Israeli" army and its militia and the arrests are in no way connected to the incident in which Gerstein fell in combat".

"Al-Kifah al-Arabi quoted US intelligence sources as saying that "Israeli" forces have been staging successive arrest campaigns in the occupied zone in an atmosphere clearly showing that ""Israel"" suspects all the militiamen who are supposed to be loyal to it in that area, especially after the killing of Gerstein".

"On the other hand, Reuters quoted Lebanese security sources as saying on Tuesday that an intelligence officer in the pro-"Israeli" militia had defected and surrendered to the Lebanese army.

"Collaborator officials could not confirm Marwan Khalil Nabaa, described as a liaison officer with
""Israel's"" Mossad secret service, had quit the militia which helps "Israel".

"He left home on Monday evening and has yet to come back,'' Nabaa's family said.

Nabaa's reported defection follows what appears to be an "Israeli" crackdown on the militia. On Sunday, militia sources said ""Israel"" detained three militia intelligence officers on suspicion of aiding Hizbullah, Reuters said.

"Security sources said ""Israel"" had restricted access to the occupied southern village of Hasbayya and was questioning several militia officers stationed there", it added.

"Nabaa's brother Mohammed, who was also in militia intelligence, defected last month".

BUS LOADED WITH CHILDREN HIT IN "ISRAELI" SHELLING, NO INJURIES
"A school bus loaded with children was hit with shrapnel during shelling by "Israeli" troops in southern Lebanon on Wednesday, police said. No one was injured. The bus was hit while it was parked at the entrance to the Farah private school on the outskirts of the village of Tebbnine, east of the southern port city of Tyre, police said. "The children escaped miraculously from this aggression. They started screaming and running in panic to the school buildings," a police officer told AFP. A truce accord signed in 1996 after "Israel's" "Grapes of Wrath" offensive against anti-"Israeli" guerrillas in Lebanon prohibits attacks on civilians".

""Israeli" warplanes this morning raided areas in south Lebanon. Two fighter bombers fired two air to ground missiles near Jabal Boutom. There were no reports of casualties. The "Israeli" air force has been striking southern Lebanon nearly every day since a resistance attack killed "Israel's" top general last month"…(2)

The Islamic Resistance (IR) issued a statement in which it reported the following "Israeli" aggressions (4):
1:15, three 155mm missiles hit the area between Shaqra and Majdal Selem.
7:25, Qaissieh Valley was shelled by four 160mm missiles.
10:40, one 120mm shells hit Mount Al-Rafih.
11:20, the "Israeli" warplanes dropped two air-to-ground rockets into the west of Jibal El-Botom village.
12:30, ten 81mm rounds slammed into Al-Jabbour area.
14:10, Tibbnine town exposed to two 155mm missiles. The shells landed near the town's school where the students were still inside it, but no casualties were reported. At the same time, one missile fell on Aita El-Jabal causing damage to the house of Najib Mortada, whereas another missiles struck the perimeters of Safad El-Battikh village.
14:40, the surroundings of Taibeh position subjected to a barrage of 12.7mm heavy machine gun rounds.
15:35, five 155mm missiles fell on west of Yater and four 120mm shells on the old Hoqban position.
16:05, the area between Jmeijmeh and Khorbet Selem was targeted by five 155m missiles.
16:30, the "Israeli" bombers fired one air-to-surface rocket at Mazraat Hamra.
16:50, the "Israeli" bomber reiterated targeting the same area with another rocket.
17:00, eight 155mm missiles pounded into Qaissieh Valley.
17:15, fifteen 81,120 and 155mm rounds slammed into Hala Hill.

Lahoud condemns "Israeli" measures in zone…(4)
"President Emile Lahoud decried moves by "Israeli" forces in the occupied zone and hailed the steadfastness of the area’s residents Wednesday".

“What is taking place in the villages of Hasbaya, Ibl El-Saqi and Ain Qeny is no less than oppressive and a violation to international laws and customs and to the basic standards of human rights,” he told the Cabinet, according to information Minister Anwar Khalil.

"He also pledged government support for the area, Mr. Khalil said, adding that Prime Minister Salim Hoss spoke in support of the president’s views".

"Three Druze civilians were seized Wednesday amid a wave of arrests of suspects accused of links with Hizbullah. "Israeli" radio said Monday that between eight and 11 members from the "Israeli"-allied South Lebanon Army had been arrested since Friday".

"More than 40 members of the Druze community have also been interrogated over suspected links to Hizbullah".

"The SLA said "Israel" suspected them of providing information which helped Hizbullah kill one of "Israel's" top generals in the south and three other "Israelis" last month".

"Meanwhile, "Israeli" warplanes attacked a wadi near Jabal Botom and some open countryside near Nabatieh".

Al-Bayyada Sheikhs disown "Israeli" enemy's collaborators…(1)
"Following their latest meeting at al-Bayyada in which they called on the Hasbayya residents to uprise against the "Israeli" occupation, the Hasbayya Druze Sheikhs disowned all "Israeli" agents, the collaborating militiamen and those who work in the "Israeli" entity".

"Hasbayya area residents reacted positively to the Sheikh's moves, while occupation forces threatened to detain or expel Druze religious leaders in addition to tightening the blockade imposed on Hasbayya.

Moreover, "Israeli" intelligence told its collaborators' chief in Hasbayya Alamedine Badawi to crackdown on residents to prevent potential movements after the Bayyada Sheikhs' call to boycott "Israeli" goods and those who collaborate with the occupation".

"For his part, President Emile Lahoud hailed the residents' brave stance and steadfastness against the "Israeli" occupation forces and praised the Bayyada Sheikhs' positions.

"What is taking place in the villages of Hasbaya, Ibl es-Saqi and Ain Qeny is no less than oppressive and a violation to international laws and customs and to the basic standards of human rights," he told the Cabinet yesterday."

"The President also pledged government support for the area. Prime Minister Salim Hoss spoke in support of the president's views".

"Lahoud also commended the Bayyada Sheikhs for clinging to their country and calling on civilians to confront the occupation and boycott its products".

"The Bayyada Sheikhs rejected an "Israeli" attempt to meet with a delegation of senior "Israeli" officers in the Khalawat. The "Israelis" wanted the Sheikhs to violate the disownment they had declared themselves.

Following the Sheikh's rejection to meet enemy officers, the "Israeli" intelligence tightened the siege around the town of Ibl al-Saqi and prevented residents from entering and exiting the town.

Enemy troops also set up barricades inside the town, stormed houses and abducted four civilians.

Reports from the occupied zone said "Israeli" occupation forces are firing shots randomly inside towns and villages to terrorize civilians who are currently living in a state of upheaval as the number of detainees is nearing sixty, including ten collaborating militiamen and officers".

"In the meantime, Chief collaborator in Jezzine agent Joseph Karam, heading a militia unit, stormed into the village of Sfaray and broke into the houses of Elias Hareem and Maroun Suleiman.

"The collaborators told Hareem and Suleiman that they must leave the area after accusing them of supplying the Lebanese government and the Resistance with information".

Arrests raise tension in occupation zone…(1)
"A palpable climate of fear has gripped the eastern sector of the occupation zone in recent days following a wave of civilian arrests, travel restrictions and defections of South Lebanon Army militiamen.

"The "Israeli" clampdown on the area between Ibl es-Saqi and Shebaa began during the investigations into the killing of Brigadier General Erez Gerstein last month in a roadside ambush amid suspicions that members of the SLA* are now actively working with Hizbullah or the Lebanese Army.

Although the "Israeli" restrictions began in earnest last month, the mood in the eastern sector, traditionally one of the less volatile regions of the zone, began shifting last October with the first roadside bomb attack in Hasbaya for over five years.

"The attack, which occurred beside the local SLA headquarters, left the "Israelis" stunned.
"The "Israelis" had long considered the local population harmless, having exploited the link between south Lebanon’s Druze community and their co-religionists in "Israel".

Druze recruits to the SLA were given key postings and better salaries while Druze clerics were allowed easy access into "Israel".

"A security source believed that the growing likelihood of an "Israeli" withdrawal has prompted the area’s residents to launch a more active resistance to the occupation.

The roadside bomb ambush between Ibl es-Saqi and Kawkaba which turned General Gerstein’s Mercedes into a fireball was just the latest example of this new sentiment, the source said.

SLA personnel are widely suspected of involvement in the "Israeli" general’s death.
Since then at least two have defected and four, including an artillery commander, Georges Karam from Qleya, have been arrested.

"The much-feared General Security Service ­ comprising Lebanese personnel and taking orders only from "Israeli" military intelligence ­ imposed travel restrictions on several settlements in the district, preventing anyone from leaving the zone".

“Students who came down from Beirut for the weekend found themselves trapped in the village Monday morning,” said one resident of Ibl es-Saqi, who requested anonymity.

Travel restrictions on Ain Qenya and Hasbaya were lifted a few days ago. The ban on leaving the
zone coincided with dozens of civilian arrests and detentions. Around 10 people have been detained in Ibl es-Saqi and as many as 40 in Hasbaya.

If the GSS wishes to question someone, a message is sent ­ either by telephone or word of mouth ­ ordering the suspect to appear at the SLA headquarters in Hasbaya.

"Those summoned have little choice but to obey and their families are told not to report arrests. As such, Unifil’s Indian battalion, which operates in some of the area, often only learns of detentions days later.

"This arrangement clearly frustrates Colonel Guru Saday Batabyal, the battalion’s commanding officer. “What do I do,” he said, “when the GSS quietly sends a message to someone in Ibl es-Saqi and tells them to go to Hasbaya, which is outside my area of operations?”

"One resident of Kawkaba was too nervous to comment on the situation at all. Acutely aware of a young man hovering in the background, the resident gave a strained smile and said everything was fine, before adding quietly, “I am sorry. I can’t answer your questions.”

Clearly aware of the image the local Druze have as collaborators, Sheik Fendi Shoujaa, a leading Druze cleric in Hasbaya, insisted that the local population had always sought the return of national sovereignty to the area.

“The Druze stand has always been the same as the rest of the Druze in the country but only now is this coming to be known as greater attention is paid to the south,” he said.

The split between the occupation forces and the local community in the eastern sector is becoming increasingly visible.

"The Bayada clerics, the senior Druze sheiks of the Arkoub, last week issued a religious edict forbidding collaboration with the "Israelis" in any form".

"Israeli" helicopters wound four Lebanese soldiers…(1)
""Israeli" helicopters fired on Lebanese troops in the southern Beqaa valley on Tuesday, wounding an officer and three other soldiers, a military source said.

"The soldiers were hit during an exchange of fire with "Israeli" helicopters in the Jinem area, southeast of Rashaya and just north of "Israel's" south Lebanon occupation zone, the source said.

Enemy helicopters in the afternoon staged several raids on the Jabal al-Wastani area near Mount Hermon and flew heavily over the areas of al-Kfair, Meimes, Ain Ata. They also raked these areas with heavy machine gun fire.

"Meanwhile, "Israeli" warplanes hovered over the Hasbayya District villages.

""Israeli" occupation's artillery sporadically bombarded the Jabal al-Wastani area and Wadi Jala'm.
In the south, enemy artillery pounded the outskirts of Haddatha, Wadi al-Kfoor, and Mount al-Rafieh with a number of heavy bombs.

""Israeli" enemy forces in Wadi Abu Qamha and Tallat A-Shrayqa at dawn today (yesterday) bombarded Mount al-Daher's Heights, Wadi Zillaya, Maydoun Hilltops and Birkat al-Jabbour with more than twenty 155mm rounds.

"Along with the bombardment, tens of flare shells were dropped over the western Beqaa front.
An "Israeli" collaborating militia unit widely rocketed the frontline of al-Hassbani, Zimrayya and Kawkaba with heavy and medium guns, with bullets reaching the perimeter of the Zimrayya crossing.
Moreover, "Israeli" arbitrary measures against civilians in the Hasbayya area are continuing,
preventing them from traveling inside the occupied zone".

"Today (yesterday), the collaborating militia released Fadi Shdeed and Kamal Ghaddar, residents of Ibl Assaqi, after detaining them at al-Khiam detention center for eight days.
Other Ibl Assaqi residents are still detained."

""Israeli" forces continued their aggressions against south Lebanon over the past two days, shelling the outskirts of Froun, al-Ghandourieh, Khorbet Selim, al-Sawwaneh, Wadi al-Hjeir and Wadi al-Slouqi in the mid-scetor with 120mm and 155mm rounds".

"Shelling also reached the vicinities of Eastern Zawtar, Western Zawtar, Mazraat al-Hamra, Litani River Banks and the abandoned army barracks in Upper Nabatieh. The neighboring fields were raked by heavy machine guns."

"Moreover, the outskirts of Arabsalim, Mleta, Lwaizeh, Oqmata area and Mount al-Rafieh in Iqlim al-Touffah were hit by heavy rounds from "Israeli" positions".

"For their part, "Israeli" helicopters raided the Kafra vicinity targeting areas with two air-to-ground missiles and heavy machine gun fire. No casualties were reported".