November Tuesday 02 -1999:

TWO LEBANESE TEENAGERS WOUNDED IN “ISRAELI” LANDMINE EXPLOSION IN SOUTH LEBANON…(1)
“Two Lebanese teenagers were wounded this morning by the explosion of an “Israeli” landmine in southern Lebanon. More in this report.

“ Fifteen year old Alaa Qdouh and his sixteen year old cousin Hassan Qdouh stepped on the landmine while hunting in the Valley of the Martyrs near the village of Yater, east of the southern port city of Tyre. They were transported to hospital in Tyre for treatment. The landmine was planted by “Israeli” forces before their 1985 pullback to the border strip they still occupy in southern Lebanon. Since it first invaded Lebanon in 1978, “Israel” has used thousands of landmines and cluster bombs in violation of international conventions. On October 26, a four year old girl was killed and four children injured when an old “Israeli” cluster bomb they were playing with exploded in eastern Lebanon. An incomplete tally carried out in 1996 indicated that 189 Lebanese had been killed by mines or bombs since the end of the 1975-90 civil war. More than 200 others have been injured. The Lebanese army estimates that more than 100,000 mines, most of them laid by “Israeli” troops, remain buried in Lebanese soil”.

1- Future TV, 1-11-1999. 

---

Occupation's warplanes renew attacks, throw suspicious objects…(1)
”Lebanese security forces have warned against suspicious objects that had been thrown by the “Israeli” occupation's warplanes last night and this morning in the areas adjacent to the front lines between the liberated areas and those occupied by the “Israeli” forces.

“Such objects were discovered in the woods of Ain Bousoir, Jarjoua (Iqleem al-Toffah), and Wadi al-Qaissieh (mid sector).

“Two of the occupation's warplanes at 11:25 raided the Daidaba Hilltops (western Beqaa) firing a number of air to ground missiles.

“In Iqlim al-Tuffah, Monday night was one of “Israeli” raids and fear.

Ten raids were staged at the outskirts of Jbaa, Jarjou, woods of Sojod, Oqmata, Mount Abou Rkab.

The explosions of the enemy missiles caused damage in the neighboring villages and houses. One rocket that exploded at the entrance of Jibaa shattered the windows of tens of houses. No casualties were reported.

“The enemy's artillery today (yesterday) used phosphorus incendiary bombs in shelling the Mazlam Wadi (west of Beit Leef - South of Yater, south-east Tyre)”.

For its part, the IR issued a statement in which it reported the following “Israeli” aggressions (2):
At 11:05 and 11:25, the “Israeli” war jets raided into Daidaba hilltops.
13:25, two 81mm rounds hit north of Haddatha compound.
15:00, the road of Jarjoua was targeted by a barrage of heavy machine gun bullets.
15:15, one 81mm round landed the surroundings of Bir Kallab outpost, whereas a volley of 12.7mm heavy machine gun bullets struck Arid El-Zennar area.
16:30, the surroundings of Rshaf post came under one 120mm shell and a volley of 12.7mm heavy machine gun rounds.
17:15, Jib Soweid area, east of Majdal Zoun, was shelled by four 155mm missiles were fired at the perimeters of Majdal Zoun.
19:15, the “Israeli” war jets staged a sortie into the peripheries of Jibaa.
19:25, two flare shells were unleashed over the seashore of Mansouri.
Between 20:20 and 20:30, the area between the villages of Zibqeen, Ramdieh and Jibal El-Botom was bombarded by twelve 155mm missiles.

“Israel” admits to the existence of long-range anti-tank missile that was test-fired in south Lebanon…(1)
“Rafael, “Israel’s” state-owned armaments company, has finally admitted to the existence of the long-range Dandy anti-tank missile, 15 months after The Daily Star revealed that the “Israeli” Army was test-firing the weapon in south Lebanon.

“The London-based Jane’s Defense Weekly said that the missile, the largest of a family of three anti-tank rockets, is designed to be launched from ground platforms or helicopter gunships, notably the AH-1 Cobra, which is used by the “Israelis” in the south.

“The sophisticated rocket can be launched in “fire-and-forget” mode or can be directed to its target by an operator through a fiber-optic link. The missile is packed with a tandem high-explosive anti-tank warhead for use against the reactive armor of armored vehicles.

“The missile has a range of 6 kilometers, according to Rafael, almost double that of the TOW anti-tank rocket presently in service with the “Israeli” Army.

“The Dandy is believed to have been fired in south Lebanon at least six times since February 1998. One civilian was killed and another four were wounded in the attacks. The most recent known incident was in June when a Dandy was fired from the “Israeli”-manned Taibeh outpost in the central sector at a house in Qabrikha. Two civilians were wounded in the blast.

“The Daily Star revealed in August last year that the Dandy was being tested in south Lebanon. Rafael at the time denied such a missile existed.

Rafael has been busy marketing the Dandy along with its two smaller brothers ­ the shoulder-fired Gill, with a range of 2.5 kilometers, and the medium-range Spike, which can hit targets up to 4 kilometers away.

“Poland turned Rafael down last year but another European country is believed to be considering purchasing the weapon.

“Last year, Rafael formed the EuroSpike consortium with the German company STN Atlas, Diehl and Rheinmetal to produce, market and sell the weapons to foreign governments.

“Israel’s” occupation of south Lebanon has provided a useful opportunity for Rafael to boast of the missile’s combat-proven qualities, an invaluable aid in marketing the weapon to potential clients.

“While Hizbullah has nothing in its armory comparable to the Dandy missile, the expanded use of air power by the “Israelis” in recent weeks has led the resistance to adopt new tactics in staging attacks against the occupation forces.

“Security sources said that Hizbullah and Amal fighters are relying increasingly on timing mechanisms to launch Katyusha rockets, enabling the fighters to be well away from the area before the missiles are fired.

“Hizbullah has stepped up the use of Katyusha rockets in the past two months, partly due to the acquisition of the 107mm short-range version and partly because the threat of swift retaliation from “Israeli” aircraft has forced the resistance to rely on timers.

“Mortars, the principal artillery weapon of the resistance, can only fire one round by timer, an ineffective and expensive way of conducting operations given that a single round will achieve little damage and the abandoned weapon would probably be destroyed in the retaliatory air strike.

“The security sources added that the resistance is even attaching timers to their Sagger anti-tank rockets, generally used to ambush “Israeli” and SLA* militia patrols and pound the fortifications of hilltop outposts.

“Although “Israel’s” increased reliance on air power has failed to reduce resistance operations, the battlefields of south Lebanon are becoming awash with sophisticated electronic monitoring devices and weapons systems which almost precludes the necessity of deploying ground forces. Pilotless planes ­ drones ­ constantly scan the ground for movement, the frontline areas are covered by portable battlefield radar units with a range of around 5 kilometers, TV cameras are placed in remote wadis and barrage balloons equipped with TV cameras can observe a vast tract of territory at any one time.

“This comprehensive surveillance system is designed to provide the “Israelis” with the earliest possible warning allowing them to respond to any resistance activity swiftly and accurately with pinpoint air strikes by helicopter gunships or warplanes.

“The “Israeli” Army is in the process of winding down troop activities to a minimum in the months preceding the anticipated withdrawal from Lebanon. Thus, reliance on air power and high-tech observation equipment and armaments will become increasingly vital to ensure that the “Israeli” Army can continue to fulfill its perceived role in the zone without incurring politically unacceptable troop casualties”.

“ISRAEL” TRYING TO DESTABLIZE LEBANON BY AIR ATTACKS, MINISTER SAYS…(2)
““Israeli” air attacks in south Lebanon have been stepped up and according to Lebanon's Defence Minister they aim at destabilizing the country ahead of the possible resumption of peace negotiations.

“ “Israeli” warplanes bombed south Lebanon last night and early this morning. In the evening, the jets fired two missiles on Jibaa in the Iqleem al-Toffah mountain ridge just north of the zone “Israel” occupies. There were no casualties. It was the sixteenth raid since Monday - in the morning fighter bombers fired two missiles on the Tallet-Daidaba hilltop in the western Beqaa district of southeastern Lebanon. Defence Minister Ghazi Zaayter said “Israel” is launching repeated raids on southern Lebanon to destroy the country's stability ahead of any resumption of long frozen peace talks. Zaayter's remarks echoed a comment in a Syrian daily last week scoffing at “Israel’s” professed intention to withdraw and predicting instead "a widescale attack" to exhaust Lebanon's economy and soften it up to accept “Israeli” conditions. Zaayter described “Israeli” statements as "trial balloons." Prime Minister Ehud Barak has pledged to end “Israel’s” 21 year occupation of southern Lebanon by July next year and Foreign Minister David Levy said last month that “Israel” would pull out its troops whether or not it had reached a prior agreement with Lebanon and Syria. Zaayter said Lebanon still insists on the implementation of UN resolution 425 which called for “Israel” to withdraw "forthwith."”

* 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. 

---

HIZBULLAH OUTLINES THE “ISRAELI” AGGRESSIONS IN SOUTH LEBANON…(1)
“Hizbullah confirmed that “Israel” has stepped up its air raids on southern Lebanon. In October, the group which spearheads resistance activities in the south said, some 37 percent of all attacks on Lebanon were carried out by the “Israeli” air force, compared with about 25 percent in September. “Israel” has also been targeting civilian areas. Two civilians were injured in Qabrikha, one seriously by heavy “Israeli” shelling, which also wounded a child in the front-line village of Kfar Joz. One civilian was hurt in “Israeli” shelling on the Nabatieh village of Kfar Tibneet, while four were wounded in neighboring Froun. Four Lebanese were also hurt when “Israel” indiscriminately attacked civilian neighborhoods in Arab Salim. Two children were killed by a cluster bomb left behind by “Israeli” troops in the Western Beqaa. Hizbullah also said three civilians were injured by “Israeli” shelling on the Hamra crossing point in southern Lebanon last week. Meanwhile, the group said it carried out 121 operations against occupation forces. The most successful attacks took place in the Rihan outpost, where “Israel” admitted that two “Israeli” soldiers from the elite Golani brigade, were injured. “Israel” television also unveiled that the so-called head of liaison unit in the south, Beni Geinz, was in the convoy that came under Hizbullah attack, raising suspicion in “Israel” that Hizbullah may have known beforehand of the top officer's presence in Rihan. Hizbullah also said two Mirkava tanks accidentally collided, injuring two occupation troops.

One “Israeli” soldier, the group said, was also injured when a mortar bomb he was preparing to launch exploded prematurely. Hizbullah's monthly report also stressed, “Israel” intensified its searches of occupied villages and towns. Ainata remains under siege and dozens of civilians have been detained for questioning. A young woman, Fatima was tortured under interrogation, and had to be transported to a hospital in Sidon for treatment. Her sister is reportedly dying inside the occupied zone, but “Israeli” forces will not allow her out for treatment. The girls' parents were detained after Fatima received extensive media attention”.

“Israeli” aggressions damage houses and grid…(1)
“An “Israeli” Merkava tank positioned in the occupation's outpost in Dabsheh (at around 6:00 a.m. Thursday) fired several 105mm rounds on the Manzle neighborhood and the vicinity of the Ghandour Palace in Upper Nabatieh.

“One of the rounds hit a deserted house belonging to Moheiddeen Ali Moheiddeen, created a hole in its northern wall and shattered its windows.

“Meanwhile, the “Israelis”' heavy machine-guns in the outposts of Ali al-Taher and Dabsheh raked the residential neighborhood in Upper Nabatieh. “Israeli” rounds hit the houses of Ghassan Assaad and Bassam Mohammed Mohsen. No casualties were reported.

“The “Israeli” bombardment of the Manzle neighborhood damaged the district's grid. The residents called on the concerned officials and ICRC to help repair the grid and bring back the electricity.

“The residents said several sniper shots were fired from the occupation's outposts against people who tried to repair the grid.

“The town residents called for security forces who came to the Square and extracted a bomb with flechettes (anti-personnel bomb) that has not exploded.

“The occupation artillery at 10:00 a.m. Friday bombarded the outskirts of Mlita, Daidaba, and the vicinity of the occupation's outpost in Sojod with 160 mm, 120 mm, and 105 rounds.

“Moreover, the occupation's shelling of Majdal Selem this morning damaged the houses of Hussein Abed Ali Melhem, Abed Al-Aziz Hamzeh and Jawad Jaber”.

For its part, the Islamic Resistance (IR) released a communiqué in which it reported the following “Israeli” aggressions (2):
Between 2:35 and 10:20, Mount Sojod was bombarded by five 155mm missiles and four 120mm shells.
4:15, four 155mm missiles were unleashed at Mount Zaatar.
4:40, eight 155mm missiles slammed into Mount Kabir, west of Siddiqeen village.
4:55, Jib Soweid area, east of Majdal Zoun village, was shelled by three 155mm missiles.
5:50, the perimeters of Nabatieh El-Fawqa came under two tank rounds and a volley of 12.7mm heavy machine gun bullets damaging the houses of Mohieddine Ali Mohieddine and Mohammad Assaad Bassli.
5:55, the western peripheries exposed to three 81mm rounds and heavy machine gun fire.
6:00, the perimeters of Mansouri came under five 105mm tank rounds and a barrage of 12.7mm heavy machine gun bullets.
9:45, five 160mm missiles struck the outskirts of Qilya village whereas Daidaba area was targeted by two 105mm tank rounds.
9:50, Majdal Selem town exposed to heavy machine gun fire causing damage to the houses Hussein Abdel-Melhem, Abdel-Aziz Herz and Jawad Jaber.
14:20, several 155mm missiles landed Kfour ravine.
14:45, fifteen 105mm tank rounds slammed into the hilltops of Bir Dahr and Daidaba.
16:00, the outskirts of Mlikh came under four 81mm rounds.
17:30, twelve 81mm rounds were fired at the perimeters of Loweizeh village.
17:35, four 155mm missiles fell on the peripheries of Shaqra town and three others on Qaissieh Valley.
Between 18:55 and 21:55, Mount Sojod was bombarded by twelve 120mm shells and three tank rounds.
19:45, one 120mm shell hit Mlita Hill.
Between 21:00 and 22:30, Slouqi Valley came under thirteen 81mm rounds, five 155mm missiles and two 120mm shells.
21:20, four 155mm missiles struck the outskirts of Shaqra.
23:35, ten 120mm shells slammed into the perimeters of Majdal Selem.

New “Israeli” violation of the April Understanding…(1)
“The “Israeli” occupation forces violated the April Understanding as its artillery this morning bombarded the towns of Baraasheit, Haddatha, Aita al-Jabal, Tibneen and the Mount al-Zaatar area.

“Shelling the town of Baraasheit led to damaging the houses of Khalil Dawi, Mostafa Farhat, Mohammed Farhat, and Abdel-Karim Shihab.

In Haddatha, “Israeli” rounds fell near UNIFIL's Irish battalion. Abdel-Karim Karneeb's house was damaged along with the near electricity cables.

“In the western Beqaa, the area of Libbaya was bombarded at noon while Talet al-Dahr area (woods of al-Kfair town, Hasbaya sector) received a number of 155mm rounds”.

For its part, the Islamic Resistance (IR) issued a statement in which it mentioned the following “Israeli” aggressions (2):
5:30, five 155mm missiles hit Mount Zaatar.
Between 5:45 and 14:10, Haddatha town and its perimeters came under thirty two 81 and 120mm shells, six 155mm missiles and 12.7mm heavy machine gun fire, damaging the house of Sheikh Abdel-Karim Karnib.
Between 6:05 and 6:30, Baraasheit town and its outskirts exposed to thirty three 81 and 120mm shells, ten 155mm missiles and 12.7mm heavy machine gun fire. The “Israeli” shelling caused damages to the houses of Mahmoud Shrara, Fawaz Ibrahim Obeid, Hussein Shrara and Mustafa Hussein Farhat.
6:10, ten 160mm missiles slammed into south of Dallafeh crossroad.
6:15, the areas of Daidaba, Bir Dahr and Druze Fort were bombarded by ten 105 and 160mm missiles.
6:20, ten 155mm missiles were unleashed at the perimeters of Haddatha, Aita El-Jabal and Baraasheit.
6:50, two unexploded 120mm shells fell on Aita El-Jabal.
Between 11:00 and 22:15, Mount Sojod was bombarded by ten 120mm shells and three 155mm missiles.
Between 11:00 and 20:10, the perimeters of Mlikh village came under eight 120mm shells.
16:20, seven 160mm missiles were fired at the surroundings of Qilya village.
20:10, a barrage of heavy machine gun bullets struck the peripheries of Mlikh.
20:15, two 120mm shells landed the outskirts of Loweizeh village.
20:45, south of Yater was targeted by five 105mm rounds.
20:55, Mount Kabir was shelled by eight 155mm missiles.
21:00, twelve 155mm missiles slammed into the peripheries of Siddiqeen.

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

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

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

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

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

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

“Hizbullah with the justification to continue launching attacks.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Detainees welcomed by Lahoud

* 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. 

---

LEBANESE HOUSE DESTROYED IN “ISRAELI” AIR ATTACK IN SOUTH LEBANON…(1)
““Israeli” warplanes staged a series of raids against southern Lebanon destroying a house east of the port city of Tyre. A fighter bomber fired a missile which directly hit a house in the village of Khorbet Selem north of the zone “Israel” occupies. There was nobody in the house which belonged to Mohamed Wehbe Khalil when it was hit. “Israeli” warplanes had carried out two raids earlier today (yesterday) in which eight missiles were fired against the region of Sawaneh south of Tyre without inflicting any casualties. “Israeli” air raids have become a common occurrence in south Lebanon”.

For its part, the IR released a statement in which it reported the following “Israeli” aggressions (2):
00:05, the surroundings of Mashaaroun exposed to middle machine gun fire.
1:55, a volley of 12.7mm heavy machine gun bullets struck Habboush River watercourse.
Between 5:05 and 13:10, Qaissieh Valley was shelled by ten 155mm missiles.
5:05, four 155mm missiles landed the outskirts of Khorbet Selem town.
5:50, ten 155mm missiles slammed into the perimeters of Siddiqeen village.
Between 12:30 and 12:45, Mount Sojod was targeted by three 155mm missiles, three 81mm rounds and a barrage of 12.7mm heavy machine gun bullets.
At 12:57 and 13:05, the “Israeli” warplanes staged two sorties into the peripheries of Khorbet Selem shattering the glasses of the houses of Mohammad Hachem Noureddine, Adel Cherri, Abed Majed, Khalil Hammoud, Mahmoud Hawi, Ghassan Al-Tawil, Hassan Majed and Mustafa Noureddine.
13:05, the lower neighborhood of Arab Salim town exposed to a volley of 12.7mm heavy machine gun bullets.
At 13:35 and 14:40, the “Israeli” helicopter gunships showered the perimeters of Mlikh village.
14:00, five 120mm shells hit the outskirts of Loweizeh village.
15:45, the peripheries of Mlikh came under fourteen 120mm shells.
16:25, the “Israeli” war jets raided into the area between Sawaneh and Khorbet Selem.

Monthly Report on “Israeli” aggressions against Lebanon…(3)
There were 159 “Israeli” air, ground and sea aggressions against Lebanon; air aggressions constituted 37.11% of the gross aggressions in comparison with 25.62% in September 1999.

October witnessed 50 air raids by the enemy aircraft against areas in the south and the western Beqaa.

The violent raids targeted:
- (On Oct 2,) the Oqmata Farmstead, Ain al-Smahieh, an area between the towns of Froun and al-Ghandourieh besides the Froun-Ghandourieh highway;

- (On Oct 5,) west of Yater, the outskirts of Siddiqeen, Mount al-Kabir (in the town of Jibal al-Botom), the Mlita Hilltop, the outskirts of Jarjoua and Ain Bousoir (two sorties), the Chaitieh – Jibal al-Bottom – Zibqeen Triangle (two sorties), an area between Jibal al-Bottom and Zibqeen, the town of Qabrikha (wounding two civilians, one seriously), the town of Kfar Jouz (wounding an Iraqi girl, Razan Kashefilghata, 4, in the head, Wadi al-Kfour (two sorties), and the northern neighborhood of Jarjoua (destroying  a house);

- (On October 6,) the Mlita Hilltop, woods of Jarjoua and Ain Bousoir (two sorties), Mount al-Kabir (in Jibal al-Bottom) and Wadi Slouqi;

- (On October 7,) the vicinity of the northern neighborhood of Jarjoua, Wadi al-Qaissieh (two sorties) and the outskirts of Jibaa;

- (on October 12,) an area between al-Henneih and Zibqeen and an area between al-Chaitieh and Jibal al-Botom;

- (on October 13,) the Litani River gorge to the southwest of Yohmor (two sorties), the northern outskirts of Froun, Ain al-Zarqa (west of Yohmor), Wadi Zillaya, the Litani River gorge (two sorties);

- (On October 15,) the woods of Loweizeh;

- (On October 19 and 20,) the outskirts of Jibaa;

- (On October 23,) an area between Beit Yahoun, Baraasheit and Wadi al-Qaissieh;

- (On October 24,) the Mlita Farmstead;

- (On October 27,) an area between Zibqeen and al-Chaitieh, the outskirts of Jibaa, Mount al-Rafih and the Sojod woods;

- (On October 29,) Mount Sojod, the Oqmata Farmstead Hilltops, the Kfar Houna Hilltops, the Nabeh al-Tasseh gorge, and the Hilltops of al-Jabbour and Ain al-Tineh;

- (On October 30,), the Nabeh al-Tasseh gorge (two sorties).

Moreover, the “Israeli” enemy and its collaborators on October 1 raked the eastern neighborhood of Kfar Tibneet wounding Hussein Naseeb Besher, 40.

On October 6, the bombardment that targeted the town of Froun wounded two civilians: Ahmed Amashe, 52, and Hussein Amashe, 27, damaged the UNIFIL’s Finnish battalion base and killed a number of goats.

The “Israeli” shelling of the eastern neighborhood of Arab Salim on October 26 wounded four civilians: Jawad Moussa, 50, Mona Ahmed Hammoud, 34, Afifa Moussa, 8, and Mariam Moussa Hassan, 65.

The explosion of a cluster bomb left over since the “Israeli” invasion in 1982 led to the martyrdom of Warda Mohammed al-Moussa Hassan, 65.

The explosion of a cluster bomb left over since the “Israeli” invasion in 1982 led to the martyrdom of Warda Mohammed al-Moussa, 4, instantly, and her sister Basma, 10, who was martyred of her wounds a few days after the explosion that also injured Aiman Mohammed al-Ezzo, 4, his sister Houda, 7, Ahmed Omar al-Qraio, 9. The children, all Syrian, were playing with the bomb when it went off. They lived at Mamal al-Basal near the town of al-Omariah (Zahleh – Barilias road).

On September 30, Kamel Mohieddeen Abdel–Al, 55, a goat shepherd, was martyred when another cluster bomb exploded in the woods of al-Qaroun town.

On October 29, the shells that landed at the Hamra crossing injured three civilians: Mohammed Moussa Jamil, Hassan Bajouq (both from Aita al-Shaab) and George Zoroub (from Alma al-Shaab).

On the other hand, on October 28 “Israeli” gunboats near the Qlaileh coast held two commercial vessels with car cargoes coming from Germany and Belgium. The ships’ captains were subjected to investigation.  The enemy navy held the two men and their vessels for four hours and allowed them to enter the Tyre port only after they paid the usual “tax”.

On October 30, moreover, enemy gunboats held two fishing boats with five fishermen aboard. The names of three of the fishermen were known as Fadel Badawi, Ali Mohedeen and Deeb al-Sati. The names of the other two were not known. They were released eight hours later after a prolonged investigation.

As far as detentions and storming into towns are concerned, the occupation forces on October 4 stormed into the towns of Aita al-Shaab, Ainata, and Rmeish, sealing off Ainata. Around ten residents were detained including Mariam Sbeiti, Sayyed Ibrahim Fadlallah, Ali Khalil Khanafer, Hussein Mohammed Semhat (Khanafer and Semhat were released around ten days later), Ahmed Semhat and his wife Najwa Hussein Semhat.

The Follow Up committee for Lebanese Detainees in “Israeli” prisons unveiled that Najwa Semhat is pregnant and had suffered intense bleeding in the camp. Her serious condition forced the occupation forces to take her to the Marjeyoun hospital  for treatment.

The enemy’s intelligence and collaborators on October 8 ransacked tens of houses in Aita al-Shaab. They beat old women and men, mixed and ruined food supplies in the houses. The occupation forces have also barred the residents of Ainata, Houla, Markaba, and al-Odaisseh from collecting their olive groves’ harvest.

The “Israeli” forces and their agents said they would directly shoot any citizen that tries to get to the groves without prior warning.

   Reports from the occupied zone said the “Israeli” intelligence stormed the houses of some collaborators in the towns of Ainata, Aita al-Shaab and Rmeish. Around ten collaborators were detained and taken to the Center 17 prison in Saff al-Hawa; the weapons and cellular phones of the detainees were also confiscated.

On October 13, the “Israeli” occupation’s proxy militia summoned seven citizens from Hasbaya town to the militia’s HQ in Tallet Zoghleh. They were subject to prolonged questioning before being released. Lebanese army Sergeant Hani Youssef Abu Dehen was detained for ten days in the notorious al-Khiam detention center before he was expelled from the occupied zone. He is crippled for he had lost his leg in a landmine explosion.
On October 14, the occupation forces detained Khodor Hussein Foani from Odaisseh and took him to an unknown place.

Lahd’s militiamen on October 16 stormed the house of Mahmoud Jaafar in Ainata. They beat his daughter Fatima, 16, violently before taking her to the center 17 in Bint Jbeil where she was brutally tortured. Fatima was beaten with guns, she developed amnesia and her condition was terrible; therefore, the occupation released her but she had to be admitted to a hospital in Sidon.

The barbaric act was widely condemned by Lebanese political, cultural, social and religions circles.

On October 21, the occupation detained Hassan Khalil Taweel from his hometown as he was visiting relatives; Mostafa Ali Akil from Jibbain was arrested on October 24.

The occupation forces on October 25 detained Fatima Jaafar’s parents: Mahmoud Jaafar, a teacher in Ainata school, and his wife Nahdia Nasrallah.

On October 31, the “Israeli” intelligence in al-Hardoun outpost detained two Lahd militiamen recruits: Hussein Jaafar Aqeel (from Jibbain) and Maher Hassan al-Ghareeb from Tair Harfa on charges of cooperation with the resistance. They were taken to al-Khiam detention center.

Moreover, the occupation and its collaborators on October 10 barred Nayef Halawi, 62, and his wife Zeinab Melhem Jomaa, 58, from returning to their hometown, Kfar Kila, through the Kfar Tibneet crossing.

Halawi had done medical tests outside the occupied zone. When he returned with his wife, Lahdi agent Khodor Hammoud tore their permits at the crossing and told them never to return to the occupied zone.

On October 19, the occupation and its militiamen expelled Mrs. Badawia Khalil Farhat, 57, from Shibaa.

Detained Hani Youssef Abu Dehen, a Lebanese army sergeant, was deported on October 22. Two of the released detainees were expelled from the occupied zone on October 25. They are Munef Aqeel Hammoud, 35, from Kfar Kila, and Zaki Awada, 66, from al-Khiam.

Jamil Ali Wansa, his wife Majida Mansour and their son and daughter, Mansour, 16, Bushra, 9, were expelled from the town of Dibbeen through the Kfar Tibneet crossing.

As for tours and meetings, a series of meetings was held on October 13 at the occupation’s command HQ in Tallet Zoghleh and Marjeyoun barracks.

The meetings were attended by Lahd militia official Karamallah Saeed along with a number of the militia and “Israeli” officers. The meeting failed to reach an agreement following the deep conflicts between the militia’s eastern sector’s security service and the militia’s command in the same sector.

Furthermore, “Israeli” colonel Rafeeq Saed held a press conference in Marjeyoun as signs indicated an “Israeli” withdrawal from Hasbaya.

On October 15, the liaison unit command summoned the eastern sector’s militiamen to the unit’s HQ in Marjeyoun. The unit’s commander Beni Ganz told the militiamen that the pullout reports were exaggerated.

Moreover, reports leaked from the occupied area of Hasbaya stated that agent Antoine Lahd has been promised by senior “Israeli” officials that the partial withdrawal can be delayed for some time to enable Lahd to deal with his militiamen’s outrage.

On October 21, a prolonged meeting was held at the Marjeyoun barracks under the northern area commander Gabi Ashkenazi and liaison unit commander Beni Ganz. The meeting that was attended by the militia’s command discussed the recent developments in the occupied zone and the reports about withdrawal from Hasbaya and the rest of Jezzine.

Ashkenazi and an “Israeli” military delegation toured some of the military outposts in Hasbaya before attending a working dinner with all the militia’s cadres. The dinner was described a aiming to curb the mounting conflicts between the militiamen.

On October 29, an “Israeli” – Lahdi delegation from the liaison unit command inspected the outposts of the occupation and its collaborators at the Aramta – Rihan – Kfar Houna axis. The delegation examined the site where a roadside bomb killed a militiaman.

Following the tour, a military meeting was held at Tallet Rihan to discuss the security and military situation at this front.

On October 12, the occupation forces appointed Wissam Mrowe (from Bint Jbeil) as new head of the Bait Yahoun crossing as the former head, Fawzi al-Sagheer, was hunted down by the Resistance last month. However, the crossing is still closed along with the crossings of Zimraya, Kfar Houna, and al-Hamra.

On the other hand, the occupation forces have added to the list of those barred from entering the occupied zone the retired servicemen of the Lebanese army and security forces along with their families.

Scores of university students were also prevented from going to their colleges in the liberated areas.

Reports from the occupied zone said there is a large workshop in the “Israeli” complex in Tallet Shraifeh to enlarge and fortify the outpost in order to be able to absorb the forces that will pull out from the Hasbaya areas and the Jezzine areas that are still under occupation. Enemy troops also fortified the crossing gate at Zimraya on October 1 and 25.

These aggressions resulted in the martyrdom of three civilians, wounding 15, expelling 10 and detaining 20 (including 12 militiamen), destroying one house, damaging 51 houses, 5 cars, 4 electricity grids and a mosque.

Militia creates new positions…(1)
“The increased talk about the “Israeli” occupation forces' withdrawal from Lebanon has not prevented the enemy's bulldozers from leveling olive groves in Hasbaya to build more barricades around the occupation's outpost of Tallet Zimraya.

“Reports said the leveling operations and moving dirt to the outpost have damaged the olive groves of Adel al-Khatib (from Memes) and Deeb Yaghi (from Hasbaya) besides others.

The occupation has also made a new road for the militia's vehicles near the Hasbani Spring.

“In Arnoun, the town residents who came to Nabatieh this morning said the militiamen started five days ago building a new outpost in the town's square behind the mosque. The outpost is tens of meters away from the Arnoun Pond.

“The residents feared that the new outpost may be prelude to launching more aggressions against them.

“The outpost is usually the source of aggressions against the residents besides controlling their movements to the neighboring Nabatieh and Yohmor”.

4 citizens expelled by occupation forces…(1)
“The talk about resumption of settlement talks and withdrawal from Hasbaya were not of any good to a Lebanese woman and here three children who were expelled from the occupied zone.

The house of Iqbal Assad Khameis and her children Rifat, one month, Ashraf, five years, and Safi, eight years, was stormed by the proxy militia who were accompanied by an “Israeli” intelligence officer.

“The woman who was preparing her children for school was taken by force to the Zimraya crossing. They told her never to return to the occupied zone.

“When Khameis was asked about the reason, she said, "The reason is the occupation . They expelled my husband Hani Abu Dehen ten days ago and now it was my turn and that of my family."

Although the family would not talk about the direct reasons, relatives said Hani refused to join the militia and told the militiamen "you will withdraw sooner or later, so why force people to join you?"

“On the other hand, 20 citizens visited 12 of their hostage sons held in al-Khiam detention center.

The visited prisoners are:
“Issam Awada, Hassan Abbass, Ezat Yassin, Hussein Hijazi, Nemer Nemer, Hassan Moussa Rida, Zeyad Ghinwi, Wajih Hijazi, Mostafa Ali Arabieh, Mohammed Ali Srour, Youssef Srour and Fadel Tohini”.

1- Al-Manar TV, 11-11-1999. 

---

“Israeli” aggressions reach a record high; 32 towns shelled and raided…(1)
“The “Israeli” occupation forces have gone too far in violating the April understanding, launching more aggressions on Lebanese liberated villages.

“The “Israeli” bombs and air raid missiles hit most of the villages located to the north of the occupied zone between the Syrian borders and the Mediterranean sea.

Raids started at 6:45 a.m. as the occupation's warplanes fired a number of air-to-ground missiles on the outskirts of Jmeijmeh; five minutes later, another raid targeted wadi al-Qaissieh.

“At 7:30, the “Israeli” warplanes staged a third raid on an area near the town of Khorbet Selem, another sortie targeted the woods of Chaitieh at 8:30.

At 12:30, the occupation's aircraft raided the Sojod woods; another raid, five minutes later, targeted the same wadi, while other warplanes staged two sorties on the Ain al-Smahieh area (between the towns of Zawtar al-Sharqieh and Choukeen).

“The occupation's artillery bombarded 32 towns:
- (In western Beqaa): Zillaya, Qilya, Ain al-Tineh, Maidoun, and most of the area's hilltops.

- (In Nabatieh) Zawtar al-Sharqieh, Zawtar al-Gharbieh, Choukeen, Jarjoua, Yohmor, Arab Salim, Houmeen al-Fawqa, Qaaqaiyet al-Jisr, Loweizeh, Sojod woods, Mlita hilltops, al-Hamra Farmstead, al-Sawaneh, Habboush, besides the town of Nabatieh whose cemetery and city house were hit along with the houses of Hani Darweesh, Moussa Saliba, Ibrahim Fakhouri, Mohammed Abdo Bitar, Abu Qassem Lamah and Mohammed Youssef al-Shami.

A number of citizens were lightly wounded in the aggressions and treated in local dispensaries and hospitals.
In the middle sector, “Israeli” occupation's rounds hit Zibqeen, Majdal Zoun, al-Rmadieh, Jibal al-Botom, Yater, Haddatha, Rshaf, Baraasheit, Majdal Selem, Khorbet Selem, Siddiqeen, al-Henneih, al-Jmeijmeh and Kafra (a number of houses was damaged). Ali Moussa Yahia and his family narrowly escaped death when his house in Kafra was directly hit by an “Israeli” round.

Although the aggressions receded, the south and the western Beqaa remained cautious as a result of the large-scale escalation.

“The atmospheres remained tense also as the enemy's warplanes and helicopters circled over the targeted areas, swooped low, and staged several mock air raids”.

For its part, the IR released a communiqué in which it reported the following “Israeli” aggressions (2):
Between 00:45 and 12:00, thirty one 155mm missiles slammed into the west of Yater village.
1:00, west of Jibal El-Botom village was shelled by six 155mm missiles.
Between 4:10 and 6:40, Qaissieh Valley was bombarded by more than twenty one 155mm missiles.
Between 4:50 and 6:55, seven 155mm missiles struck Mount Zaatar.
5:50, the surroundings of Baraasheit compound exposed to a volley of 12.7mm heavy machine gun bullets.
Between 6:10 and 11:45, the outskirts of Haddatha town came under more than six 155mm missiles.
6:25, six 155mm missiles were fired at the area between Jmeijmeh and Majdal Selem villages.
At 6:41 and 6:46, the “Israeli” warplanes raided into Qaissieh Valley.
Between 7:00 and 13:25, eighteen 120mm shells slammed into Mount Sojod.
7:50, the area between Jibal El-Botom and Rmadieh was hit by ten 155mm missiles.
8:55, the “Israeli” war jets staged a sortie into the area between Jibal El-Botom and Rmadieh.
11:15, five 155mm missiles landed Mazraat Hamra area.
Between 11:25 and 12:00, the perimeters of Baraasheit town came under eight 120mm shells, six 155mm missiles and three 160mm rounds.
Between 11:35 and 12:10, Mount Kabir, west of Siddiqeen village, was bombarded by fifteen 155mm missiles.
Between 11:35 and 11:55, the outskirts of Majdal Selem exposed to twenty three 155mm missiles and three 120mm shells enkinly a big blaze.
11:35, two 155mm missiles landed near Unifil post at Izzeih area (1) whereas Kfar Romman town was hit by a barrage of 12.7mm heavy machine gun bullets.
11:40, six 120mm shells were unleashed at the surroundings of Haddatha (1) whereas the area between Beit Yahoun and Aita El-Jabal was targeted by four 120mm shells. Meanwhile, a volley of 12.7mm heavy machine gun rounds struck the peripheries of Baraasheit.
11:45, the perimeters of Qilya and Zillaya, Litani River watercourse, Druze Fort and Sraireh hilltops came under forty 105, 130 and 160mm missiles, while at the same time, several 155mm missiles landed the peripheries of Jibaa.
11:50, two 155mm missiles fell on the outskirts of Jmeijmeh and one another on the area between Mansouri and Majdal Zoun.
11:55, two 160mm missiles hit Kafra village where a family was miraculously escaped death.
12:00, Sawan area was shelled by three 155mm missiles whereas Slouqi Valley exposed to one 81mm phosphoric shell.
12:05, several 155mm missiles were unleashed at the outskirts of Majdal Zoun.
12:15, the perimeters of Qilya came under a number of 160mm missiles.
12:20, four 155mm missiles fell on the road of Sawan and several 120mm shells on the outskirts of Ain Bousoir.
At 12:25 and 12:40, the “Israeli” warplanes launched two sorties into Mount Sojod, while at the same time, the area between Jibsheit and Choukeen was bombarded by twelve 155mm missiles.
Between 12:25 and 12:50, Jarjoua and its peripheries exposed to eight 155mm missiles and several 81mm rounds.
Between 12:30 and 13:00, Arab Salim town exposed to 12.7mm heavy machine gun fire.
12:35, the “Israeli” fighter-bombers raided into the heights of Jibsheit.
12:40, the “Israeli” war jets dropped five air-to-ground rockets into the area between Majdal Zoun and Mansouri.
At 12:50 and 13:00, the “Israeli” warplanes staged two sorties into Ain Semmahieh area near Mazraat Hamra.
Between 13:05 and 13:25, the peripheries of Loweizeh village came under nine 155mm missiles.
14:35, the “Israeli” war jets raided into Mlita Hill.
17:40, the surroundings of Mohaisbat position exposed to three 81mm rounds and a volley of 12.7mm heavy machine gun bullets.

2- IR statement, 12-11-1999. 

---

Occupation aircraft causes fires…(1)
“A large fire this morning (yesterday) broke out in the olive groves of the towns of Zawtar al-Gharbieh and Zawtar al-Sharqieh. It took the residents and the civil defense men hours to control the fire that reached areas meters away from the residential quarters in both towns.

“Residents said the fire resulted from the flare bombs fired by the occupation's warplanes as they were staging a mock air raid over the area at 7:00 a.m. Monday.

Civil defense men said the warplanes that fired the flare bombs were so low that these bombs that burn for 15 second hit the groves in seconds.

“Due to the fact that the flares contain highly-explosive white phosphorus, whose fire cannot be extinguished with anything but sand.. The flares reached the olive trees and set them ablaze.

“The occupation's aircraft which circled over Lebanese areas, flew over the capital Beirut. Last night, it flew over Mount Lebanon and the capital's suburbs.

“Today (yesterday) the enemy warplanes that hovered over the Nabatieh and Iqleem al-Toffah villages were intercepted by the anti-aircraft fire of the Lebanese army and the Resistance”.

In its statement, the IR reported the following “Israeli” aggressions (2):
Between 00:00 and 14:45, Mount Sojod was bombarded by eleven 155mm missiles, eleven 120mm shells and two tank rounds.

2- IR statement, 15-11-1999. 

---

More “Israeli” violations of understanding, AUMG stresses avoiding civilians…(1)
“Only a few hours after the April Understanding Monitoring Group (AUMG) issued its statement, the “Israeli” occupation forces were violating the understanding once again as the “Israeli” artillery deliberately bombarded the town of Baraasheit damaging the houses of Moussa Mahmoud Shehab, Najib Mohammed Shehab, and Hassan Najib Shehab.

The bombardment that surprised the residents as they were leaving to work also damaged the Najib Shehab's car.

“The enemy shelling later extended to reach the Iqleem al-Toffah area, Mount al-Zaatar, the Habboush vicinity, and the Zahrani River gorge.

“Moreover, the occupation's artillery bombarded the Maidoun Woods, the hilltops al-Qatrani and Abu Rashed, along with Mount Qilya in the Western Beqaa.

“In turn, the occupation's warplanes circled heavily in the skies of the south, Beqaa, Beirut, and the capital's southern suburbs.
“The enemy planes staged a number of mock air raids and were intercepted by the anti-aircraft fire of the Lebanese army and the Resistance”.

In its statement, the IR reported the following “Israeli” aggressions (2):
Between 00:00 and 16:35, Mount Sojod was bombarded by twelve 155mm missiles, five 81mm rounds and four 120mm shells.
00:20, seven 155mm missiles slammed into Habboush River watercourse.
2:00, two flare shells were fired over the area between Shaqra and Baraasheit villages and one another over the outskirts of Aita El-Jabal.
3:20, two “Israeli” war boats were seen cruising off the seashore of Khaizaran and Saksakieh.
5:15, Mount Zaatar was shelled by seven 155mm missiles.
6:20, three 120mm smoke shells landed the perimeters of Froun village, whereas the surroundings of Qsair position exposed to a volley of 12.7mm heavy machine gun bullets.
6:25, one 81mm round fell on Baraasheit town.
6:40, one 120mm shell was fired at the western perimeters of Baraasheit, causing damage to the house of Hassan Najib Chehab and Najib Chehab.
15:25, the surroundings of Houla position came under a barrage of 12.7mm heavy machine gun bullets.
16:20, Arab Salim town was targeted by three 120mm shells.
17:00, the peripheries of Majdal Zoun town came under four 81mm rounds and 12.7mm heavy machine gun fire shutting off the electric current.
17:05, three 155mm missiles were unleashed at Jib Soweid area.
“Israeli” Army gets ready
At 18:50, 19:00 and 19:10, the “Israeli” war jets raided into Ain Simahieh area firing more than three air-to-surface rockets.
19:45, the surroundings of Taibeh outpost exposed to 12.7mm heavy machine gun fire.
Between 19:50 and 21:10, Mount Sojod was bombarded by more than sixty one 120mm shells, eight tank rounds and five 155mm missiles and volley of 12.7mm heavy machine gun bullets.
20:55, Litani River watercourse was targeted by five 81mm rounds and a heavy machine gun fire.
21:00, the surroundings of Bir Kallab and Sojod outpost exposed to 12.7mm heavy machine gun fire.
Between 21:15 and 21:40, twenty five 120mm shells slammed into Tasseh Well watercourse.
21:30, the outskirts of Qilya came under twenty five 1650mm missiles.

2- IR statement, 17-11-1999. 

---

Old woman wounded in today's aggressions
Mrs. Zeinab Ahmed Saleh, 60, was wounded today (yesterday) in a new Israeli violation of the April Understanding.
The occupation forces suddenly bombarded the town of Arabsalim. Saleh was near her house that was damaged along with several houses in the town by the shrapnel of the fissionable bombs used by the occupation forces.

Nabatieh Governor Mahmoud al-Mawla visited Arabsalim, checked on the wounded woman before he instructed the electricity, water, and public works' teams to reconstruct what was damaged by the occupation forces.

Enemy warplanes, on the other hand, launched more aggressions, staging (Wednesday evening) several raids on a Wadi between the towns of Zawtar al-Gharbieh and Zawtar al-Sharqieh and firing a number of air-to-ground missiles. No casualties were reported.

Today (yesterday), the occupation maintained the pattern of staging mock air raids over the villages adjacent to the occupied zone.

Several mock air raids were recorded over the Nabatieh villages, Bint Jbeil area, and the western Beqaa.

The Israeli warplanes were intercepted by the anti-aircraft fire of the Lebanese army…(1)

For its part, the IR report the folloing “Israeli” aggression:
6:15, the perimeters of Majdal Zoun come under fifteen 81 mm rounds and five 120mm shells, whereas the surroundings of Shamaa and Hardoun outposts exposed to 12.7mm heavy machine gun fire.
12:40, several 81mm rounds hit Hojeir Valley enkindling a blaze.
Between 12:40 and 13:05, twenty one 81mm rounds slammed into the surroundings of Qantara outpost.
17:10, South of Baraashit village was targeted by two 81mm rounds.
17:15, Mount sojod was targeted by five 120mm shills…(2)

2- IR-Statement, 18-11-1999. 

---

Two wounded, houses damaged in fresh “Israeli” violations of understanding…(1)
“The “Israeli” occupation forces once again violated the April Understanding when its artillery today (yesterday) targeted the residential areas in the town of Kfar Tibneet, seriously wounding Toufeiq Salam, 30, and Lebanese army sergeant Hassan Hijazi, 37.

“The family of Hussein Hanjoul in Arabsalim miraculously escaped death when an “Israeli” round landed on their house while the family was inside.  No casualties were reported.

“The ground aggressions were accompanied by heavy circling of the “Israeli” warplanes that haunted the southern skies.

“Earlier, enemy warplanes staged 3 successive raids on the outskirts of Arabsalim and the Litani River gorge firing a number of air-to-ground missiles.

“The nightly bombardment by the enemy's artillery against the Iqleem al-Toffah Hilltops set woods and wadis ablaze. Civil defense men extinguished the fires”.

For its part, the Islamic Resistance (IR) reported in its statement following “Israeli” aggressions (2):
1:05, the surroundings of Sojod outpost came under several 81mm rounds and a barrage of 12.7mm heavy machine gun bullets whereas the area between Jarjoua and Houmine El-Fawqa exposed to 12.7mm heavy machine gun fire only.
14:50, three 81mm rounds landed south of Mothallath position.
15:05, Mount Sojod was bombarded by six 120mm shells and three 155mm missiles, while at the same time, the surroundings of Sojod outpost exposed to heavy machine gun fire.

2- IR statement, 19-11-1999. 

---

Occupiers tighten noose on Arnoun…(1)
“Two days after two women were detained by the SLA*, the occupation forces tightened their grip on Arnoun on Wednesday, sealing off the narrow path that allows residents access to Nabatieh.

”The unexpected clampdown on Arnoun has raised speculation of an attempt to depopulate the village in line with a possible “Israeli” plan to redeploy from the northern sector as a precursor to a full withdrawal from the south.

”SLA militiamen manning the outpost at the entrance to Arnoun used rocks to block the path leading through the barbed wire barricades which surround the town.

”The path serves as a lifeline for residents who work in Nabatieh, 5 kilometers to the northwest, for farmers to reach their fields and for the few children remaining in the village to attend school in nearby Yohmor.

”Arnoun’s remaining population of around 45 mostly elderly residents are now effectively trapped inside the village.

”The only access out of the zone is by foot ­ vehicles are banned in Arnoun­ along the 3-kilometer track to the crossing at Kfar Tibnit.

”On Monday, SLA security agents arrested Samira Hassan Attieh, 25, and Shamlakan Hussein Assaf, 23, and took them to Khiam Prison. There was no explanation for the detentions.

Khalil Hamdan, an Amal official, claimed that the clampdown was intended to turn the village into a barracks.

“Arresting women and children in Arnoun is an old trick used by the occupation forces to pressure the residents into leaving their homes,” he said.

”The “Israelis” annexed Arnoun into the occupation zone last April in a bid to thwart roadside bomb ambushes against troops manning Beaufort Castle, located on a hill overlooking the village.

Ambushes in the area have since declined, although there has been no cessation of long-range mortar attacks against Beaufort Castle.

”Last month, SLA militiamen constructed a new observation post in the home of Ali Ghazali. The post allows the militiamen to scrutinize the open countryside between Arnoun and Kfar Tibnit.

Beaufort Castle and Arnoun could play a strategic role if the “Israelis” choose to stage a partial withdrawal prior to departing from the south.

”The northern sector, the area of the zone lying north of the Litani River, has effectively become redundant as a strategic asset since the SLA retreated from Jezzine last June.

”A withdrawal from the northern sector to the southern bank of the Litani would be coupled with a pullback in the eastern sector to a line running from Marjayoun to Kfar Shouba.

”In such a scenario, the “Israelis” are expected to retain possession of Beaufort Castle despite the fact that it lies on the northern bank of the Litani River.

”The castle, which has views of the south and northern Galilee, is considered too strategically important to be handed over prior to a full troop redeployment from the south. Therefore, retaining control of Arnoun would become more important than ever to prevent the resistance using the area to stage assaults on the castle.

”Nonetheless, despite intense speculation to the contrary last month, there is no concrete evidence that the “Israelis” plan to redeploy to locations closer to the border anytime soon.

”The Jezzine experience, in which the SLA were mauled by Hizbullah fighters during their retreat from the town, warned the “Israelis” that large-scale troop movements before a deal is cut with Syria is a risky endeavor”.

* 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. 

---

“Israeli” occupation forces damaged several houses in South…(1)
““Israel” staged several air raids while its artillery launched fire barrages in Nabatieh. Two houses were damaged in “Israeli” shelling on residential areas in Yohmor on Thursday evening.

“Two “Israeli” jets fired four missiles at a valley near the village of Zawtar Sharqieh in Nabatieh, an area widely believed to be used as a launching pad for resistance operations.

“Elsewhere, the houses of Khairallah Souaid and Ali Zouhour in Yohmor were badly damaged in “Israeli” shelling from the Beaufort Castle post”.

In its statement, the Islamic Resistance (IR) reported the following aggressions which were launched at the Lebanese liberated areas (2):
Between 5:30 and 7:20, Mount Sojod was bombarded by twelve 155mm missiles and four 120mm shells.
5:30, four 120mm shells hit the perimeters of Loweizeh village.
6:40, four 155mm missiles fell on the peripheries of Touline and two 81mm rounds on the road of Ilman, whereas the surroundings of Qssair position exposed to a volley of 12.7mm heavy machine gun bullets.
7:25, the outskirts of Majdal Zoun village came under six 81mm rounds.
13:35, three 155mm missiles landed west of Yater village.
15:15, Mlita Hill was shelled by five 155mm missiles.
17:30, five 155mm missiles struck Haddatha woodland.
18:00, nine 105mm missiles slammed into Haddatha woodland.
18:25, Yohmor village came under one 105mm missile and a barrage of 12.7mm heavy machine gun bullets.
18:30, the road of Sawan was shelled by five 155mm missiles.
Between 19:50 and 23:35, Mount Sojod was targeted by five 120mm shells.
At 20:10 and 20:15, the Israeli warplanes staged two sorties in Ain Simmahieh area.

“Israeli” enemy practices its repressive actions…(1)
The security forces reported that the “Israeli” intelligence soldiers had arrested the youngman Imad Saasouh from Hasbaya town and moved him to unknown destination.

Also, the occupation forces prevented the unarmed residents whose ages range between seventeen and thirty six-year old from leaving the “Israeli” occupied zone.

House damaged in “Israeli” aggressions…(1)
““Israeli” occupation's aircraft staged more aggressions on Lebanese territories as two enemy warplanes bombarded the Nabeh al-Tasseh gorge at 5:45 a.m. Saturday firing a number of air-to-ground missiles.

“The occupation's artillery Friday evening bombarded Iqleem al-Toffah hilltops.

“Moreover, an “Israeli” tank positioned at al-Dabsheh outpost shelled the Kfar Tibneet town. One round damaged Ahmed Nahle's house.

“The occupation's outposts of Ali al-Taher and al-Bourj raked the targeted areas with heavy machine-gun fire”.

For its part, the IR issued a communiqué in which it reported the following aggressions (2):
5:30, two 155mm missiles landed Mount Sojod.
5:40, the “Israeli” war jets raided into Tasseh Well watercourse.
16:35, the surroundings of the new Houla position exposed to a barrage of 12.7mm heavy machine gun bullets.
20:55, Arid El-Zennar area was shelled by four 155mm missiles.
21:05, two 120mm shells hit Oqmata area.

Occupation's piracy: gunboats stop commercial ship…(3)
“Car dealers had to wait for an extra 3 hours at the Tyre port today. The ship they were expecting was intercepted by the “Israeli” occupation's gunboats.

“The enemy forces searched the vessel and examined the papers of the captain and his sailors who were questioned before being allowed to disembark at the Tyre port.

“Reports said the captain insisted on applying the maritime law and refused to pay "fees" for the occupation's proxy militia threatening to raise the "illegitimate measure" at German courts as the ship is owned by a German company.

“Car dealers in the area said the occupation's navy used to force vessels to pay coercive payments as "fees" to enter Tyre.

“It seems that the occupation which had stopped the measure for some time intends to adopt it once again following the enemy's decision to raise the militia's budget in a bid to prevent the militia from disintegration”.