September Thursday 2 -1999:

New "Israeli" massacre: Two civilians killed and five wounded…(1)
"The south was braced for a serious escalation Wednesday night after "Israeli" shelling killed two civilians in the Western Beqaa.

Heeding Hizbullah’s vows of retaliation, the "Israeli" Army ordered residents of northern "Israel" into bomb shelters, the first time this command has been given since the wide-ranging air strikes on Lebanon’s infrastructure at the end of June".

"The civilian casualties occurred when several shells exploded in Libbaya, killing Hassan Aql, 18, and Fatmeh Jabali, 19. Two other civilians, Mona Atweh, 35, and Ilaa Aql, 10, were wounded in the shelling. An army checkpoint 4 kilometers north of the zone was hit in the bombardment and five houses were also damaged.

"Despite the heightened tensions as a result of the deaths of the two civilians, "Israeli" warplanes staged an air raid against the Western Beqaa, firing four missiles at Zillaya.

"Other than Wednesday’s civilian casualties, five other people have been wounded this week.

The escalation came on the eve of a visit to the region by U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine Albright in a bid to restart the peace talks between Syria and "Israel".

"Prime Minister Salim Hoss opened the weekly Cabinet session with a note of caution to optimists predicting a quick revival of the peace talks.

“There’s no reason for any optimism over the prospects of a compromise with "Israel". There has been no change in "Israel's" intransigence and proof of this lies in the way the "Israelis" are dealing with the Palestinian issue and failing to implement signed agreements such as the Oslo and Wye accords.”

After the Cabinet meeting, Information Minister Anwar Khalil said “Whenever there’s an important visitor to Lebanon, "Israel" escalates all its actions in the south and the Western Beqaa.”

On Monday, Hizbullah’s deputy secretary-general, Sheikh Naim Qassem, delivered a fiery speech warning to "Israel" that the resistance would not hesitate to use the Katyusha option if civilians continue to be killed or wounded in Lebanon. It was the most bellicose speech since "Israel" destroyed bridges and damaged electricity stations on June 24 in response to the last Katyusha raid on northern Galilee".

However, the "Israeli" occupation forces staged the further aggressions as reported in a communiqué issued by the Islamic Resistance (IR)…(2)
Between 00:25 and 1:30, Mount Bassil was shelled by twelve 155mm missiles.
9:05, Mount Sojod was bombarded by fifteen missiles and a volley of 12.7mm heavy machine gun bullets, whereas Tasseh Well watercourse exposed to two shells.
16:30, twenty five 155mm missiles slammed into the 910th area and the hilltops of Bir Zahr and Daidaba.
Between 16:55 and 17:25, Libbaya village and its perimeters came under more than twenty five 130 and 155mm missiles. The "Israeli" shells killed the civilians Fatima Ibrahim Al-Jabli, 35, Hassan Nimr Akel, 18, and wounded Mona Haidar El-Aouta, 35, and her daughter Aya Hussein Akel, 15, and Hassan Ali Akel.

The commander of the armed forces called upon the military to confront the “"Israeli"” aggressions…(3)
"The commander of the Lebanese armed forces Major Michel Sulaiman today (yesterday) inspected the military units that are spread across the area of Mount Lebanon.

"Major Sulaiman talked to his troops about the “"Israeli"” threats against the Lebanese army, pointing out that these threats came as a result of the resolute stances that were established by President Emil Lahud. He also confirmed that these stances were taken from the Lebanese public as a result of their interaction with the army, adding that this interaction resulted in the unification of the Lebanese people with the army.

"The commander concluded by calling upon the military to be vigilant and prepared to confront any “"Israeli"” aggression".

"Israel" condemned by truce panel…(1)
"The five-nation Monitoring Group condemned "Israel" on Monday for violating the April Understanding by shelling the Western Beqaa last week, killing two civilians and wounding three others.

"The group also accused "Israel" of violating the understanding on six other counts, all for inflicting civilian casualties or damaging property.

"The group, comprising delegates from Lebanon, Syria, France, "Israel" and the U.S., convened in Naqoura at 10am to assess 10 complaints.

"Lebanon lodged seven, all dealing with civilian casualties or damage to civilian property.

The final statement from the group said that two civilians were killed, three others wounded and 11 houses, a shop, two cars and a watertank were damaged when "Israeli" and SLA* militia artillery units shelled Libbaya.

“The group considered this action a violation of the understanding and condemned it,” the statement said.

"Israel's" protests consisted of two allegations of the resistance staging attacks from civilian areas and one for a mortar round that exploded south of the border two weeks ago.

The group noted that the mortar shell had overshot its target, the Blat outpost, and, although “unintended,” failed “to conform to the provisions of the understanding.”

Significantly, the "Israelis" failed to lodge a complaint for the cross-border Katyusha and mortar barrage last week. The "Israeli" Army claimed to have found no evidence that Katyushas had landed in "Israel", although several mortar rounds did explode across the border. However, Saturday, the "Israelis" conceded that one Katyusha rocket had been fired but crashed inside the occupation zone damaging the border fence.

"In conclusion, the group “expressed its concern over these recent incidents and urged that the highest priority be given to the protection of civilians and civilian property, as provided in the understanding.”

“Israeli” air aggression targets deep into Lebanon…(1)
“Israeli” warplanes flew 125 kilometers north of the occupation zone on Tuesday to fire two missiles at a cluster of farm buildings beside the Orontes River in Hermel.

“The raid, the most northerly staged by the “Israelis” in at least two years, comes as the “Israelis” have significantly reduced the amount of shelling against front-line areas in the south over the past few days.

Four F-16 fighter-bombers circled a small hilltop 5 kilometers north of Shouaghir village at around 11.30am before two of the planes swooped low over the Assi Valley and fired a pair of missiles. “Several houses were damaged in the blasts and a high-tension power cable was severed. No casualties were reported. An Internal Security Forces patrol inspected the site afterward for unexploded munitions.

“The intended target of the raid was unclear. Local residents said that there was once a Hizbullah base in the area but it had shut several years ago. The banks of the Assi, with its numerous riverside restaurants and fish farms, are popular with tourists.

Hassan Hajj Hassan, a local resident, said the “raids aimed at intimidating civilians and scaring their children.”

“Imad Hajj Hassan, the mayor of Shouaghir, condemned the attack and said the district was an agricultural area.

“On June 16, the “Israelis” staged a similar raid a few kilometers south at Ras al-Assi, wounding two civilians. The previous air strike on the area occurred in March 1997.

“In 1994, “Israel’s” air force struck a training camp in the mountains near Baalbek, killing up to 50 recruits.

“Further south, there has been an unusual decline in the number of “Israeli” bombardments of front-line areas in the past few days. Although resistance attacks are continuing at a steady rate, security sources have noted that the “Israelis” and the SLA* militiamen in front-line outposts are not responding to attacks with the customary handful of mortar or artillery rounds.

“Typically, a resistance attack against a front-line SLA position of three or four long-range mortar rounds will be met with a few rounds of counter-mortar fire from the occupants of the outpost, as well as several 155mm shells from “Israeli” artillery guns positioned along the border.

Security sources said that on Monday, despite six or seven attacks being staged against both “Israeli” and SLA posts, no counter-artillery fire was recorded, even though the resistance “firing was in most cases from very open terrain.”

“The decline began following last week’s escalation when the deaths of two civilians in Libbaya led to a cross-border mortar and Katyusha barrage. The two civilians died as “Israeli” and SLA gunners pounded the western Beqaa following the killing of two SLA militiamen in a double roadside bomb ambush.

““Israeli” and SLA counter-bombardments regularly cause civilian casualties in Lebanon. Given Hizbullah’s repeated warnings that it will retaliate with Katyusha rockets into northern Galilee in reprisal for civilian casualties, the “Israeli” Army may be considering a more judicious approach to the use of artillery. “Certainly, the “Israeli” Army has been alarmed at the behavior of their militia allies who tend to be less prudent when retaliating against resistance attacks. Furthermore, the June Katyusha attack into “Israel” was largely provoked by SLA mortar fire wounding three civilians in the same village on two consecutive days.

“The “Israeli” Army may have ordered the militia to sit out resistance mortar attacks, thus preventing the prospect of renewed cross-border Katyusha attacks in the event of further civilian casualties caused by reckless SLA counter-bombardments. The militia’s front-line posts have been recently re-fortified with ample quantities of reinforced concrete, providing sufficient protection against 81mm and 120mm mortars.

“The security sources admit being puzzled at the “change of pace,” but believe it is too early to say whether the “Israelis” have altered their policy with regard to the use of artillery”.

* 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 JOURNALIST TORTURED BY ISRAELIS, REPORTS SAY…(1)
""Israeli" occupation forces have reportedly tortured a young Lebanese journalist who they detained two days ago. 25 year old Cosette Elias Ibrahim was taken to the Khiam detention center after refusing to collaborate with the occupation army.

"Israeli" occupation forces detained Cosette along with Samir George Khiam and Divol Boutros bu Telb on Tuesday. The three are from the village of Rmeish in occupied south Lebanon. They were taken to the "Israeli" run detention center in the occupied village of Khiam. Reports said Cosette was taken in after refusing to collaborate with the occupation forces. She also reportedly wrote a series of articles on the occupied zone. "Israel" accused her of providing information about its troops movements to the Lebanese army. The Follow Up Committee for the Support of Lebanese Detained in "Israeli" jails said Cosette was physically and mentally tortured by the "Israeli" military intelligence. The committee which condemned the detentions has made an urgent appeal to secure the release of Cosette and other detainees. The committee sent messages to the UN Secretary General Kofi Annan along with international human rights organizations, ambassadors of world powers and Lebanese government officials to take immediate action and to pressure "Israel" to release them. "Israel" holds over 150 Lebanese in Khiam and jails inside "Israel". International human rights groups have documented torture in the detention centers. The detainees are held without trial or charge in clear breach of international laws".

The writers union condemn the kidnapping of a journalist in Al-Rmeish…(2)
"The president of the writers union Mr. Milhem Karam condemned the “Israeli” kidnapping of the journalist Cosetteds Elias Ibrahim from the doorstep of her home in the town of Al-Rmeish. Cosette was then led to the Al-Khiam camp for interrogation.
Sources from the occupied area reported that the kidnapping operation took place five days ago because of the journalist’s refusal to pass information to the “Israelis” and their collaborators of her contacts in Beirut.

"Mr. Karam said that he had called all concerned international organisation, especially the International Red Cross, the World Journalist Organisation and the Arab Journalist Union adding that our colleagues only crime was being patriotic and performing her professional duty".

More civilians detained in the occupied zone…(3)
"Civilians arriving from the occupied zone in southern Lebanon reported that the “Israeli” forces and their collaborators kidnapped the civilian Hussein Ali Harisi (48 years) and Mohammad Mahmoud Harisi (21 years) from the town of Aita Al-Shaab. The detainees were then taken to the Al-Khiam camp, and according to sources it was believed that they were both subjected to severe torture while being interrogated at the 17th center in Saf Al-Hawa which is conducted by “Israeli” intelligence officers".

The “Israeli” detention campaign against Lebanese civilians intensifies…(1)
"The “Israeli” forces intensified their detention campaign against Lebanese civilians in the occupied territory for their refusal to collaborate with them. According to sources the inhabitants of the town of Kfar Hamam tore down pictures of the leader of the “Israeli” militia Antoine Lahd and the slain traitor Wissam Taha. The inhabitants refused to bury the traitor Taha in their town, which led to a struggle between them and the traitors Ismail Al-Zaghloul, Ali Hassan Khalifeh and Ali Mohamed Khalifeh.

Following that incident the traitor Ahmed Shibli arrived with reinforcement and surrounded the town as well as detaining a number of its inhabitants. "In the town of Blat in Marjeyoun the citizen Haitham Bahjat refused to collaborate with the enemy. Then, the “Israelis” took him to Al-Khiam camp.

"As for the citizen Samir Atar from the town of Rshaf, he was given the choice of either collaborating with the enemy or being banished from his town. Atar was then ordered to leave for not collaborating, and was taken to Kfar Tibneet crossing point to enter the liberated area and was warned not to return".

Hizbullah condemns the kidnapping of the journalist Cosette Ibrahim…(2)
"Hizbullah announced the following: the kidnapping of the journalist Cosette Ibrahim by the “Israeli” forces from her town of the occupied Rmeish is proof of the extent that it has reached in undermining human rights. It is also a witness to the terrorist acts that are practiced by the Zionist enemy against our people".

"We request all concerned international organizations to work hand in hand to release Ibrahim as well as all detainees in “Israeli” cells".

Flechette shell wreak havoc on Lebanese civilians: Unifil…(3)
" "Israel" is still periodically using flechette shells in southern Lebanon, despite the deaths of several civilians and one UN worker from the deadly darts that UN forces in Lebanon (UNIFIL) believe are implicitly banned by international conventions. The shells, each containing between eight and 12,000 five centimeter (two inch) long steel darts, are not expressly named in any weapons convention, a UNIFIL officer who asked to remain anonymous told AFP Friday. "However, the fact that they are not aimed at a specific target but scatter over a wide area, inflicting serious damage, including damage to civilian facilities, puts them indirectly into the category of banned weapons," he said. The 120 millimeter shells are fired by tank cannon and explode at a height of 500 meters (1600 feet), scattering the darts over an area of about one square kilometer (half a square mile), he said. A Norwegian member of UNIFIL was killed in southern Lebanon in 1993, when he was struck in the head by one of the darts. "We protested via the "Israel"-UNIFIL liaison committee. The "Israeli" army suspended their use for a time, but still uses them from time to time," the officer said. Often it is Lebanese civilians who are the victims of the shells, he added. In 1995, three members of one family were hit by darts when a shell exploded over the field they were ploughing in a village outside the "Israel"-occupied zone of southern Lebanon. One son was killed, the father was seriously injured and a second son was also hurt. Last year another man was injured as he stood at the door of his house, and his seven year old daughter was killed. In May this year, two workers with the Lebanese water authority were injured in an orchard. The doctor who operated on one of them in the hospital in Tyre told AFP that it took five hours to remove two darts which had lodged in the man's skull. The victim is still undergoing treatment, and suffers from constant headaches. Since that attack, UNIFIL forces have found holes from the darts riddling the walls of countless houses in the region".

Kfar Hamam under "Israeli" siege … (1)
Civilians arriving from the occupied territory reported that the Lahd militia put the town of Kfar Hamam under siege for refusing to take part in the burial ceremony of one of its traitors (Wissam Taha).

The detained Lebanese journalist Kozet Ibrahim to be freed soon … (2)
The president of the writers union Mr. Karam Karam today yesterday confirmed that the detained journalist Cosette Ibrahim would be freed within hours. Mr. Karam explained that he received phone calls from International organizations that confirmed the matter to him.

Cosette was detained for her writings that incited her fellow citizens against the “Israelis”.

“Israelis” bomb their own post ‘to pave way for pullback’…(1)
““Israeli” warplanes staged a raid in the western Beqaa on Tuesday, reportedly to destroy a radar site that the “Israelis” considered too risky to have dismantled by ground troops.

The report helped fuel speculation that the “Israelis” are preparing to withdraw from the eastern sector of the occupied zone, which faces the western Beqaa.

The fighter-bombers fired four missiles into the Jabal Dahr hills just north of the eastern sector. “There were no resistance operations in the area at the time. Security sources quoted by Agence France Presse said the raid had targeted a radar site on the edge of the zone. There was no independent confirmation, however. “There is mounting speculation that the “Israelis” may be preparing to pull out of the Hasbaya district in the eastern sector to a new front line south of Ibl El-Saqi. Such a redeployment would also entail pulling out of the northern sector, the mountainous corridor between the Litani River and Kfar Houna.

“But “Israeli” Premier Ehud Barak’s repeated commitment to withdraw his forces from the south by July 2000 suggests that “Israeli” troops will prefer to bunker down in their well-defended outposts and sit out the remaining few months.

“The “Israelis” doubtless remember the SLA* retreat from Jezzine last June, when Hizbullah fighters blasted the militia’s armored columns with roadside bombs and pounded their outposts as the SLA departed. That had been a message to the “Israelis” to think twice about staging a unilateral withdrawal before concluding a deal with Syria on the Golan Heights. The “Israelis” will not want to expose themselves to similar treatment.

“Ironically, however, Barak’s promises to withdraw may leave the “Israelis” no choice but to stage some redeployments. “Barak has ostensibly told the SLA that they have 10 months left and then they’re on their own,” noted one observer. Such an ultimatum will do little to boost the sinking morale of the militia and could hasten defections. Thus, if the “Israelis” find that the frontline defenses are growing perilously thin, a partial pullback to tighten the lines may be required.

“This appeared to be the view of Hizbullah Secretary-General Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah on Tuesday. ““Israel’s” intensive dependence on the SLA underlines the likelihood that there will be partial withdrawals,” Nasrallah said during a ceremony to commemorate the second anniversary of the martyrdom of his son Hadi and two other fighters”.

MIDDLE EAST PEACE PROCESS AIMS TO OFFICIALLY SANCTION “ISRAELI” OCCUPATION: QASSEM…(2)
“Hizbullah deputy secretary-general Sheikh Naim Qassem today (yesterday) described Middle East peace negotiations as an internationally-sponsored conspiracy to render “Israel’s” occupation of Arab land official. Qassem who held talks with Maronite Patriarch Cardinal Nasrallah Boutros Sfeir at Bkirki accused some Arab leaders of giving in to “Israeli” plots”.

* 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 CIVILIAN WOUNDED IN "ISRAELI" AIR ATTACK…(1)
"For the second consecutive day "Israeli" warplanes have attacked hills in the western Beqaa. An elderly Lebanese farmer was injured in the raid south of Libbaya. Yesterday's raid on that region was reportedly aimed at destroying an "Israeli" radar installation, fueling speculation in Beirut that an "Israeli" withdrawal from the eastern sector of the occupied zone may be imminent".

"Two "Israeli" jets struck at hills south of Libbaya in the western Beqaa just north of the zone "Israel" occupies in southern Lebanon, injuring a 65-year-old Lebanese farmer, Mohammed Akle. The raid was a short distance away from hills targeted by "Israeli" warjets yesterday. They fired four missiles on the area of Jabal al-Dahr at the edge of the occupied zone. There was no military activity in the region prior to the assault. Security sources were quoted as saying the raid had targeted a radar site set up by "Israeli" occupation forces to monitor the movement of Lebanese resistance fighters in the region. Security sources explained that, amid speculation about an eventual partial pullout from the region, "Israeli" forces opted to destroy the radar with air strikes to avoid risking resistance attacks against occupation troops sent to dismantle the installation. In a similar operation in 1996, two "Israeli" soldiers were killed in clashes with Hizbullah before the "Israeli" air force intervened to destroy a radar site in southern Lebanon. Speculation about a pullout from the eastern sector has been rife since "Israel's" proxy militia pulled out of the district of Jezzine in June. There has been no confirmation of such a withdrawal from either Lebanese or "Israeli" sources. But Hizbullah Secretary-General Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, whose group is leading the resistance war to oust "Israel" from Lebanon, said it is almost certain that "Israel" will carry out partial pullbacks from the zone it occupies soon. He warned the government, resistance fighters and Lebanese to be ready for such withdrawals. The Hizbullah leader stressed any talk of an "Israeli" pullback means further strides and a victory for the resistance. "Israel" has been occupying parts of Lebanon since 1978, but "Israeli" Prime Minister Ehud Barak has repeatedly vowed to withdraw his forces from Lebanon in less than 10 months, even if peace negotiations with Syria and Lebanon fail. Over the past months, morale of the "Israeli" allied militia, which is backed, trained, and financed, by the Jewish state, has been crumbling. Militia defections in the eastern sector have especially been on the increase.

More changes in the village of Arnoun…(2)
"The "Israelis" have apparently completed the construction of a new road running beneath their position in Beaufort Castle and have established a new observation post in one of the few buildings still standing in the northern half of the village.

"The new road runs parallel to the former route but further up the hill and closer to the castle. The old road was prone to roadside bomb attacks. After the "Israelis" occupied Arnoun last March and turned the village into a virtual fortress, they demolished most of the homes in the northern half of the village and began building the new road.

"Replete with fresh asphalt and with the sides cleared of rocks and plants to prevent bombs from being hidden, the "Israelis" will be able to monitor the road more easily. "Israeli" troops have also established an observation post in the three-story home of Ali Ghazal, which affords them a clear view of the road running between Arnoun and the crossing point at Kfar Tibbnit, 3 kilometers to the north".

PRESS RIGHTS GROUP PROTESTS TO "ISRAEL" AT ARREST OF LEBANON JOURNALIST…(3)
" The media rights organisation Reporters Sans Frontieres (Reporters without Borders) sent a letter Tuesday to "Israeli" Prime Minister Ehud Barak protesting the arrest of a Lebanese journalist in southern Lebanon. The Paris-based group said that freelance journalist Cosette Ibrahim, 25, was arrested in southern Lebanon at the beginning of September in the village of Rmeish, together with two men. The two men were identified as De Gaulle Bou Taleb, 40, and Samir Khiami, 22. All three are being held by "Israel's" proxy militia in the region in Khiam prison in the "Israeli"-occupied southern border zone. The group said there were fears she had been tortured. RSF said its letter called on Barak to use his influence to secure Ibrahim's release. It pointed out that under international conventions, journalists in zones of conflict enjoy protection as civilians. An "Israeli" army spokesman was unable to give details of the affair. Last week the follow-up committee for Lebanese prisoners in "Israeli" jails also raised the issue of the prisoners' release. It said Ibrahim was "suffering depression as a result of the physical and psychological torture she has been subjected to when being questioned by "Israeli" services." Ibrahim is "accused of having written articles on the occupied zone and having provided the Lebanese army with intelligence on the movement of "Israeli" army forces," the committee said. It said it had launched an appeal for a sit-down protest to be held in front of the Beirut office of the International Committee of the Red Cross at midday on Thursday. The protest was being organized by the Thursday Mothers, a group of parents of the 17,000 Lebanese and Palestinians reported missing since the end of Lebanon's 1975-90 civil war who meet every week outside parliament to demand information about the fates of their children. The group's campaign under the banner "the whole country is a prison camp" is also calling for the closure of Khiam prison, where more than 140 Lebanese are held, some of them for more than 10 years without trial. Amnesty International has on several occasions criticized conditions in the jail".

More "Israeli" aggressions, Unifil APC hit…(1)
"A UN Interim Forces in Lebanon (Unifil) officer affirmed that two mortar rounds fell 10 meters away from a position manned by Unifil's Finnish battalion in the Qsair area. A Unifil APC was damaged and the troops in it miraculously escaped death.

"An investigation has been launched into the reasons behind the incident and the source of the fire, the Unifil officer said.

"Lebanese security sources said the "Israeli" occupation forces often resort to attacking Unifil troops to protest the international forces' failure to report resistance men movements to the "Israeli" occupation army.

"Moreover, the occupation's artillery in the morning sporadically shelled Iqleem al-Toffah hilltops, the areas surrounding Kfar Romman, Baraasheit, Qabrikha, Majdel Selem and Touline with a number of rounds.

"On the other hand, the occupation's aircraft at around 11:00 a.m. circled at a low altitude in the skies of Beqaa. The enemy warplanes were intercepted by the Lebanese army's anti-aircraft fire".

"Israeli" aggressions continue: air raids and bombardment…(1)
"The "Israeli" occupation forces' aggressions against Lebanese villages and areas intensified as the enemy aircraft at 16:00 Friday staged two raids on the Sojod Farm firing eight air-to-ground missiles, while the enemy's surveillance drones circled heavily over Iqleem al-Toffah. The anti-aircraft fire of the Lebanese army and the Islamic Resistance intercepted the enemy warplanes.

In the meantime, the occupation forces fired over 70 155mm and 120mm rounds on the woods of Sojod, Rihan, Oqmata, Nabeh al-Tasseh, Mlita Hilltops, as the Sojod outpost fired heavy 12.7mm showers on the residential areas in Jarjoua. A number of houses were hit in the aggressions.

Earlier, the occupation's warplanes Thursday night staged a raid on the outskirts of Yater firing eight air-to-ground missiles that damaged crops in the targeted areas.

At noon (Friday), "Israeli" warplanes staged mock air raids over Nabatieh and Iqleem al-Toffah, breaking the sound barrier and shattering window glass before reaching Beirut with its provocation and breaking the sound barrier in its sky.

Moreover, the occupation's artillery pounded the outskirts of Mansouri, Majdal Zoun, Jib Soweid, and Wadi al-Hojeir with a number of heavy rounds.

In Nabatieh, the Habboush-Arab Salim-Houmeen road was targeted with "Israeli" 155mm rounds from the occupation's outpost in Zaffateh which also fired rounds on the Oqmata area and the Zahrani River gorge.

In the meantime, the occupation's outpost in the Soweida Hilltop raked the southern neighborhood of Arab Salim with 12.7mm rounds.

For its part, the Islamic Resistance (IR) issued a communiqué in which it mentioned further "Israeli" aggressions (2):
1:15, three 155mm missiles hit Habboush River watercourse.
Between 5:50 and 6:50, the perimeters of Mlikh village came under twenty five 155mm missiles.
6:25, Oqmata area was shelled by seven 155mm missiles.
6:45, four 155mm missiles struck Mount Sojod.
12:25, the eastern peripheries of Kfar Tibnite town exposed to a volley of 12.7mm heavy machine gun bullets.
Between 14:00 and 15:55, the perimeters of Yater village subjected to four 155mm missiles and one 120mm shell.
Between 15:20 and 16:20, fourteen 155mm missiles slammed into the perimeters of Jibaa town.
16:01, the "Israeli" fighter-bombers dropped four air-to-ground rockets into Sojod village.
16:07, the "Israeli" war jets reiterated raiding into Sojod.

Fresh "Israeli" piracy against Lebanese fishermen in Tyre…(3)
"On Friday, "Israeli" forces released three fishermen after six hours of questioning.

"Hussein and Ahmad Taha and Taleb Sabrawi were fishing off the Tyre coast when "Israeli" gunboats followed them and forced the fishermen to board an "Israeli" naval cutter for interrogation.

""Israel" imposes a sea blockade on Lebanese fishermen in the Tyre area and prevents them from sailing more than one nautical mile off the coast".

Shepherd wounded by old "Israeli" bomb…(1)
“A Lebanese shepherd was wounded today (yesterday) when a bomb that had been fired during earlier "Israeli" aggressions went off this morning in the western Beqaa town of Mashghara (110 kms south west of Beirut).

"The explosion also killed twenty-five goats belonging to Abbas Hassan Sharaf who was taken to hospital for treatment.
"The Lebanese army and the Islamic Resistance men raked the area to make sure that there were no more unexploded "Israeli" bombs.

"The "Israeli" occupation forces has left areas planted with mines in the south and the western Beqaa and the enemy's aggressions have left a lot of unexploded bombs that go off from time to time and hurt Lebanese civilians".

For its part, the Islamic Resistance (IR) issued a statement in which it mentioned the following "Israeli" aggressions (2):
1:10, five 155mm missiles hit the area between Jibal El-Botom and Zibqeen villages.
1:20, Jib Soweid area, north of Majdal Zoun village, was bombarded by eight 155mm missiles.
5:35, five 155mm missiles struck Mount Zaatar.
10:40, the surroundings of Taibeh outpost subjected to heavy machine gun fire.
21:20, three 155mm missiles fell on Qaissieh Valley.
22:45, the west of Yater was shelled by four 155mm missiles.
22:50, three 155mm missiles landed Jib Soweid area.

Russian envoy wants 425 implemented…(3)
Israeli aggressions
"Head of the Middle East and North Africa Department in the Russian Foreign ministry Sultanov called for the withdrawal of the "Israeli" occupation forces from South Lebanon under Resolution 425.

"During a visit to Beirut, the last leg in his tour in the region, Sultanov met Prime Minister Dr Salim al-Hoss and handed him a message to President Gen Emile Lahoud from his Russian counterpart Boris Yeltsin on the developments and the future of the settlement process in the region, especially on the Lebanese and Syrian tracks.

"Without advancement on the Syrian-Lebanese track it is impossible to talk about a comprehensive peace in the region. In fact, this is the key to peace and stability in the Middle East: withdrawal from south Lebanon and implementing Resolution 425", Sultanov said.

Warplanes bomb south as “Israel’s” militia seizes three civilians…(1)
""Israeli" warplanes attacked a wadi between Zibqeen and Chaitieh on Monday evening. Four bombs were dropped into the wadi in two sorties.

"Three civilians, including a woman, were seized by the occupation forces and taken to Khiam prison on Monday, a human rights group announced.

"SLA* militiamen entered the village of Aita Shaab in the western sector of the zone at dawn and seized the three, said the Follow-Up Committee for the Support of the Lebanese Detainees in the "Israeli" Prisons.

"It named them as Ali Hassan Qassem, 41; Fahd Saleh, 40, a teacher; and Fadila Mohammed Tahini, 35. Tahini’s husband, Hussein Ali Jariss, has already been held in the SLA-run jail since Sept. 9. "Qassem was accused of encouraging his son to leave the area to avoid being conscripted into the SLA, the committee said. It is not known why the other two are being held.

"The committee’s statement said the latest detentions raise to 21 the number of villagers from Aita Shaab being held in Khiam and prisons inside "Israel".

"In a case that has provoked widespread protest, a freelance journalist, Cosette Ibrahim, 25, was seized on Sept. 2 by "Israeli" security agents in Rmeish village, along with two men, and all three taken to Khiam.

"The committee said the "Israelis" had accused her of writing reports about the zone, giving the Lebanese Army information about "Israeli" troop movements and refusing to cooperate with the occupation forces, and has raised fears that she could be tortured.

"Amnesty International has repeatedly criticized cases of torture and ill treatment of the more than 140 detainees in Khiam".

Hoss sees no talks with "Israelis" soon…(2)
"Prime Minister Salim Hoss ruled out any chance Monday of speeding up the resumption of Lebanese-"Israeli" negotiations as a result of his participating in the opening of the 54th United Nations General Assembly.

“The resumption of negotiations is still complicated and frozen at the point at which they stopped in 1996,” Hoss said during a radio interview from New York, where he will address the body in his first high-profile appearance in an international forum since becoming prime minister last year.

Hoss asserted that there would be no resumption of negotiations on the Syrian and Lebanese tracks if unresolved points with "Israel" were not resolved, stressing that "Israel" was continually engaged in trying to avoid fulfilling its commitments.

Hoss said that Lebanon should not miss out on participating in the General Assembly, which he said constituted “a good opportunity” to explain Beirut’s position on issues that are of concern to it, such as the situation in the south amid continuing "Israeli" aggression.

"The premier added that he would meet several leading officials during his stay, including his French counterpart, Lionel Jospin, Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika, and Syrian Foreign Minister Farouk al-Sharaa".

* 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.

---

Occupation violates April Understanding: bombarding Yohmor with internationally banned shells…(1)
""Israeli" occupation forces violated the April Understanding at dawn today (yesterday) when they targeted the eastern neighborhood of Yohmor with more than 50 'flachette' bombs (containing nails) that hit 19 houses and three cars.

"The houses that were heavily damaged belong to Hussein Hassan Oleiq, Ali Hussein Saeed, Hussein Ali Saeed, Mohammed Hassan Oleiq, Soheir Nasser, Ali Hassan Nasser, Abed al-Nasser Hamzi, Mohammed Hussein Oleiq, Ahmed Ali Hamzi, Hussein Nayef Nasser, Kamal Najib Saeed, Ghazi Saeed, Ahmed Zhour, Mohammed Hassan Saeed, Kamel Najib Saeed, Kamal Jawad Mroweh, and Qassem Zeineddeen.

"A UN source in south Lebanon said the flachette bombs that are fired from tanks are internationally-banned because they do not target a specific spot but spread nails over a wide diameter.

"The "Israeli" occupation's warplanes this morning raided the Nabeh al-Tasseh gorge firing air-to-ground missiles that exploded in the groves surrounding the gorge.

"Meanwhile, the "Israeli" artillery bombarded Iqleem al-Toffah hilltops and the western Beqaa hilltops (the outskirts of Ain al-Tineh, Maidoun, Birkat al-Jabbour and Abu Rashed hilltops), while enemy aircraft heavily circled over the targeted areas.

"Earlier, the enemy warplanes staged a series of raids (between 20:15 and 21:00 Monday) against the al-Hennieh-Zibqeen-Jibal al-Botom triangle, the woods of Chaitieh, and the area between Chaitieh and Zibqeen.

"The "Israeli" warplanes fired over 20 air-to-ground missiles on the targeted areas, while the enemy artillery pounded the woods of the targeted towns. No casualties were reported"

For its part, the Islamic Resistance (IR) released a communiqué in which it reported the following "Israeli" aggressions (2):
6:15, two smoke shells hit Mount Bassil.
6:20, one 120mm shell landed the perimeters of Yater village.
7:05, the "Israeli" war jets raided into Tasseh Well watercourse, whereas Salhani area was targeted by one 120mm shell.
Between 8:10 and 10:25, Mount Abou Rkab was bombarded by forty five 120mm and 155mm missiles in addition to a barrage of 12.7mm heavy machine gun bullets.
8:10, Arid El-Zennar area subjected to a volley of 12.7mm heavy machine gun rounds.
Between 8:15 and 8:25, the perimeters of Mlikh village came under four 120mm shells.
8:35 ten 155mm missiles slammed into the peripheries of Ain El-Tineh town.

AUMG condemns "Israeli" violations…(3)
"The April Understanding Monitoring Group (AUMG) condemned the aggressions practiced by the "Israeli" occupation forces against Lebanon.

"In the meeting at the UNIFIL HQ in the occupied town of Naqoura, the five-way group examined five Lebanese complaints over "Israeli" violations in Libbaya (resulted in wounding a Lebanese civilian and damaging propety), and in the western and middle sectors (damaging property), besides the usual "Israeli" claims that the resistance has fired mortars from populated areas".

One Lebanese soldier martyred and five wounded in "Israeli" raid…(1)
In a remarkable development, the "Israeli" enemy warplanes staged yesterday midnight a series of sorties into Iqleem Al-Toffah hilltops. One of the sorties aimed at the Lebanese Army post at Sarba Hill killing the Lebanese soldier Michel Abou Tannous and wounded five others who were defined as Mohammad Taleb, Mohammad Al-Samad, Khaled Shaikha, Mohammad Deeb and Kanj Nayef.

A security source said that an "Israeli" fighter-bomber dropped two air-to-ground missiles into the post. One armored vehicle, equipped by anti-aircraft battery, was hit directly.

Occupation bars Aita Shaab students from sitting for exams…(2)
""Israeli" occupation forces and the remains of its proxy militia have barred university students in the occupied town of Aita al-Shaab from going to the universities to sit for the assigned entrance exams.

"The town's residents told president Emile Lahoud in a call they made today that they persist on steadfastness in the face of the occupation and its arbitrary measures, and that they want the Lebanese government to support them and raise their issue at international forums to deter the occupation and force it to lift the siege which has been imposed on the town for two months".

President Emile Lahoud led a chorus of official outrage against Thursday’s air attack by "Israel" on the army outpost in Sarba…(1)
"He described the attacks as “savage and brutal ­ a violation of international laws and regulations.” The president praised the army’s “heroic stand” and courage, “despite the huge difference in the means and capabilities” between the two forces.

"Lahoud said that the enemy’s “aggression will not weaken our determination to defend our land and seek a just and comprehensive peace. We continue to insist on a joint Lebanese-Syrian track for peace negotiations and support the Lebanese resistance against the occupation.”

Army commander General Michel Suleiman also railed against the "Israeli" attack. An army statement quoted Suleiman as saying that “the enemy has gone too far in its aggressive acts which prove that his withdrawal claims were nothing but a trap.”

"Suleiman inspected the targeted army site and visited the wounded soldiers who are being treated at the Hammoud hospital.
"In a statement from New York, Prime Minister Salim Hoss said the attack “offered new evidence of "Israel's" aggressive policy and its disregard for all humanitarian values.”

Hoss calls for unconditional “Israeli” withdrawal…(2)
"Addressing the General Assembly’s 54th session, the prime minister reiterated Lebanon’s call for "Israel's" unconditional withdrawal from the south in accordance with UN Security Council Resolution 425.

"Hoss attacked "Israeli" Prime Minister Ehud Barak for the latter’s public refusals to either give up East Jerusalem, dismantle Jewish settlements in the West Bank and Gaza, return to the June 4, 1967, armistice line, or allow the Palestinians to build an army.

“Such statements do not reflect good intentions or an authentic will to make peace on the "Israeli" side,” he said.

Hoss argued that no real peace could be achieved without “"Israel's" complete withdrawal from south Lebanon and Syria’s Golan Heights.”

“"Israel" must give Palestinians the right of self-determination,” he continued, “allowing them to establish their state with Jerusalem as its capital and return to their homes in Palestine.

“I would like to stress that no peace can be achieved in the Middle East without the Palestinian refugees ­ including the few hundred thousand hosted by Lebanon ­ returning to their homes,” he added. “The Lebanese are unanimously against any permanent settlement of refugees in Lebanon.”

Hoss condemned "Israel's" attacks against Lebanon, including the killing of 107 civilians at a UN compound in Qana near Tyre during "Israel's" 16-day Grapes of Wrath onslaught in April 1996. He also decried the June air strikes which destroyed two power stations and three bridges.

In addition, he called for the immediate release of Lebanese detainees held in "Israeli" prisons.

“Earlier, the prime minister explained his refusal to attend the “Partners in Peace” conference for "Israeli" and Arab officials which US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright plans to host in New York on Friday. “It’s impossible for me to be in the same room with "Israeli" officials as long as "Israel" occupies my homeland,” he told reporters accompanying him on the trip.

Three peacekeepers injured in blast; security sources accuse "Israel"…(1)
"Three United Nations peacekeeping soldiers from Fiji were injured in an overnight explosion in southern Lebanon. Security sources accused "Israel" of carrying out the attack.

"UNIFIL said an investigation is underway to determine the circumstances surrounding the explosion of a mine" which hit a Fijian armored vehicle heading for the village of Mansouri south of the main southern town of Tyre, outside the zone "Israel" occupies. UNIFIL Spokesman Timor Goksel said the device was placed by the road and went off shortly before midnight inflicting "average injuries" on the three Fijian UN troops. The troops were transported to the UNIFIL field hospital at Naqoura near the border with "Israel". The Fijian contingent of 540 men is stationed in the western sector of the southern zone occupied by "Israel". Security sources in Tyre were quoted as saying roadside bomb carried all the hallmarks of an "Israeli" assault. Sources said a number of such incidents in the past have been blamed on occupation forces. Two hundred meters away from the site of the explosion are four "Israeli" outposts ".

"Remaining militiamen" storm al-Jibbein, attack residents…(1)
“Report from the South Lebanon area occupied by the ““Israeli”” forces said agent Taleb Siblini (of the occupation's proxy militia) stormed the town of al-Jibbein.

Accompanied by his bodyguards, collaborator Siblini ransacked houses and attacked residents, the reports added.
“On the other hand, the occupation forces and their militiamen have once again detained Fahd Ali Saleh who is a Math teacher at the Aita al-Shaab public school.

Saleh had been detained earlier and taken to the al-Khiam detention center. He was released when his health condition deteriorated and admitted to hospital for treatment.

“As he got better, the occupation forces retook him to the notorious prison, although he has not recovered completely yet.
“The Follow-up Committee for Lebanese Detainees in ““Israeli”” prisons (FCLD) announced that the occupation forces have once again detained Ali Mohammed Jamil, 14, and took him to al-Khiam camp only two weeks after his release.

“FCLD called for taking action to secure the release of Jamil and prisoner Moussa Khalil Ghoson who is dying in one of the occupation zone's hospitals due to his acute asthma and his inhaling smoke when a deliberate fire broke out in the prison earlier this week.

“Ghoson who used to weigh 85 kgms (around 160 pounds) when he was detained by the ““Israeli”” occupation forces three years ago, now weighs only 50 kgms (around 90 pounds)”.

"ISRAEL" ADMITS INVOLVEMENT IN NOTORIOUS KHYAM DETENTION CAMP…(1)
"For the first time ever, "Israel" has acknowledged that its security services interrogate, instruct and cooperate with "Israeli" allied militia interrogators in the Khiam detention camp. In an unprecedented admission, published by the daily Jerusalem Post today (yesterday), "Israel" also said its army pays the salaries of interrogators at Khiam in occupied southern Lebanon".

" At least 140 Lebanese are detained behind these walls in the infamous Khiam detention center in occupied southern Lebanon. Amnesty International and a growing number of local and international human rights groups say torture and maltreatment are systematic here at the hands of "Israeli" occupation forces and their allied militia. Lebanese are held in the center without trial or charge, in clear breach of international law and UN human rights conventions, to which "Israel" is a signatory. The latest arrival to Khiam was Cosette Ibrahim, a young journalist who was kidnapped on September 2 from the occupied village of Rmeish. Reporteurs Sans Frontiers, the Paris-based journalists defense group, said Cosette had reportedly undergone torture and physical and mental abuse at Khiam. Friends and family of Cosette regularly hold protests in Beirut to highlight her plight and the suffering of Lebanese detained by "Israel". Some are suspected of aiding the Lebanese resistance fighting to oust "Israel" from southern Lebanon. A protest was held by an "Israeli" civil rights group yesterday on behalf of Cosette. "Israel" had previously denied any involvement in the notorious Khiam practices, blaming its allied militia for maltreatment. But "Israel's" Jerusalem Post today (yesterday) unveiled that the head of "Israel's" army operations, Dan Halutz, admitted in an affidavit which he submitted to the High Court of Justice last week in response to a petition on behalf of four Khiam prisoners by two "Israeli" civil rights groups, that "Israel" is involved in Khiam. Activists asked the court to allow them to visit Khiam or to release the prisoners immediately. The ministry of defense first claimed it did not run Khiam and was quote not in control of occupied southern Lebanon. Human rights groups did not accept that response and pushed for more explanation. Last week, "Israel" reportedly provided details never before acknowledged, of links between its security services, "Israeli" forces in Lebanon, and the Khiam detention center. "Israeli" army generals said their relationship is based on intelligence sharing and interrogations meant to foil resistance attacks in the south. The head of "Israel's" army operations stressed, "Israel" guides and instructs its allied militiamen, but claimed security agents do not participate in face to face interrogation of Lebanese detainees. That contradicts numerous accounts by freed detainees who say "Israeli" security agents are present throughout their interrogation periods. The senior army officer also contradicted earlier "Israeli" reports that "Israel" did not pay the salaries of jailers at Khiam, saying salaries to "Israeli" allied militiamen in Khiam are directly funded by the "Israeli" army. A major European campaign to gain the release of Lebanese detainees held by "Israel" was launched today (yesterday). The follow-up committee for the release of Lebanese detainees announced that journalists, academics, and lawyers in France, Belgium, and Switzerland, are appealing to President Jacques Chirac and Prime Minister Lionel Jospin to mediate with "Israeli" Prime Minister Ehud Barak to free Lebanese held in Khiam".

"Israeli" air, ground and sea aggressions…(1)
"Israeli" warplanes at 10:20 a.m. today (yesterday) raided the Wadi between the towns of Dair al-Zahrani and Houmine al-Fawqa (3 Kms east of Nabatieh).

The explosion of the air-to-ground missiles fired by the occupation's aircraft set a blaze in the planted fields in the vicinity of Houmine.

Following the raid, the enemy aircraft circled over the areas of Nabatieh and Iqleem al-Toffah, staging a number of mock air raids at low altitude.

The "Israeli" occupation's artillery started its daily aggressions with targeting the eastern quarter of Kfar Romman and the southern neighborhood of Arab Salim with artillery rounds and heavy machine-gun fire igniting several fires that reached the populated areas and destroyed olive groves and fruit trees.

In the western sector, the occupation's artillery bombarded the outskirts of Kafra, Yater, and Srobbeen with a number of 120mm and 155mm rounds. No casualties or damage were reported.

"At sea, the "Israeli" occupation's gunboats renewed their aggressions against Lebanese fishermen's boats near the Tyre shore.
"The enemy navy fired machine-gun rounds at the fishermen who were trying to earn their living. No casualties were reported".

In its statement, the Islamic Resistance (IR) mentioned the following "Israeli" aggressions (2):
7:00, Mount Sojod was targeted a barrage of heavy machine gun rounds.
7:10, six 120mm shells hit Mount Sojod.
8:00, Habboush River watercourse was bombarded by thirty 81mm and 155mm missiles, whereas the surroundings of Tohorra and Soweida outposts exposed to 12.7mm heavy machine gun fire.
10:20, the "Israeli" warplanes raided into the outskirts of Houmine El-Fawqa town.
Between 11:10 and 11:50, the surroundings of Rshaf position subjected to a volley of 12.7mm heavy machine gun bullets.
Between 11:50 and 12:10, five 155mm missiles fell on the outskirts of Haris.
11:50, the west of Yater village came under three 155mm missiles enkindling a big fire.
13:25, five 120mm phosphoric shells fell on Mount Sojod whereas three 120mm shells on Mount Al-Rafih.
17:30, the surroundings of the new Houla position exposed to a volley of 12.7mm heavy machine gun bullets.
19:25, the "Israeli" war jets staged a sortie into the road of Froun village firing one air-to-surface rocket near one of the Unifil's post.
19:55, Mount Zaatar was shelled by five 155mm missiles.
21:30, ten 81mm rounds slammed into the surroundings of Bir Kallab outpost.
23:55, the poof of Haddatha was targeted by five 155mm missiles.