"The two elderly Druze religious sheikhs and their wives then walked towards the first Lebanese army checkpoint at Kateh Mimes. The Munzers' son, militia member Nagi, had shot dead militia intelligence official Nidal Nasr on Saturday in the eastern part of the border area before fleeing into Lebanese government-held territory. The Lebanese National Resistance Front, claimed in a statement on Sunday to have killed Nasr and to have captured a militiaman who was later identified as Nagi Munzer. In July, Nasr had replaced Raja Ward, son of the expelled Ward couple and the former number two in the militia intelligence network in the eastern part of the south Lebanon occupation zone. Ward had turned himself in to the Lebanese army in July and his revelations led to the arrests of 17 pro-"Israeli" Lebanese agents and the dismantling of their intelligence network. A military court has requested the death penalty for some of the accused."

On the other hand, "Israel" released two Lebanese who were detained in the Khiam detention center in occupied south Lebanon. Khalil Hassan Hashem and Maher Ghanem Naji were imprisoned for about a year. Maltreatment and torture has been documented by international human rights groups in the detention center. "Israel" continues to incarcerate some 200 Lebanese in Khiam and in jails inside "Israel" without trial or charge and in clear breach of international human rights."

Occupation and Collaborators Abduct Jezzine Residents (1)
"Reports from the occupied zone said the "Israeli" proxy militia has detained a number of residents in the occupied town of Jezzine.

Jezzine dignitaries dwelling in Beirut confirmed the detentions which took place recently. Two of the town's residents were abducted and taken to Marjeyoun", an-Nahar newspaper said.

'Informed sources said the militiamen's recent acts came as several collaborators have deserted the militia and fled the occupied zone."

"The occupation and its collaborators expelled 4 residents from the towns of Hasbaya and Ibl al-Saqi."

Hasbaya Protests Expulsion of Clerics… (1)
"Expulsion of Druze clerics Sheikh Mahmoud Ward and Fawwaz Monther along with their wives from the occupied town of Hasbaya by the "Israeli" occupation forces and their collaborators provoked protests by the residents."

"Several meetings were convened in Hasbaya to protest the step. Scores of Druze clerics and the town's dignitaries condemned the expulsion. They announced that it is "forbidden for anyone to deal with the collaborator militiamen". They also said all those who collaborate with the occupation will be socially boycotted."

"For its part, Hizbullah said the new expulsions are "new arbitrary measures by the "Israeli" occupation forces and their collaborators to punish our people in the occupied zone for their clinging to their land and rejecting the occupation."

"As we greet our steadfast people in the face of the occupation and condemn the new expulsion decisions against these honorable citizens, we feel proud of our people in the Hasbaya area for their courageous decision of prohibiting dealing with the Lahd militia collaborators", a Hizbullah source said.

"We regard this position as one stemming from real original affiliation to the homeland, for it expresses our people's will to resist the occupation", the source added.

"We pledge to our generous people to proceed with the path of Jihad and Resistance until every inch of our occupied land is liberated and our people can live in their land in freedom and dignity and all the deportees return to their land after defeating the invading occupying Zionists", the Hezbollah source concluded.

"Israeli" shelling fuels fires
"A yellow haze hung over Akkar, Mount Lebanon and the south as tinder-dry undergrowth and a strong breeze fuelled dozens of brush fires, destroying huge amounts of cedar and pine forests and olive and citrus groves."

"As if the natural elements were not enough to exacerbate the nation-wide fires, "Israeli" gunners made matters worse. In a calculated attempt to denude the densely forested slopes that provide cover for resistance fighters infiltrating the central sector of the occupation zone, "Israeli" gunners went into action firing phosphorous rounds into Iqleem al-Toffah, sparking a huge blaze."

"Despite the absence of resistance activity in the area, at 2.15pm, "Israeli" guns began shelling the eastern slopes of Wadi Zahrani at the southern end of Arab Salim, with an average of one phosphorous shell exploding on the heights in a ball of soft, white smoke every five minutes. Within a quarter of an hour, a huge fire had broken out, carried northwards by the stiff breeze and casting a thick yellow pall over Iqleem al-Toffah."

"Similar shelling on Monday had already turned vast areas of the hillside into a charred expanse of rock and earth, almost reaching the "Israeli" Sojod post, clearly visible on the ridge above Arab Salim."

“They’ve burned the lower slopes and now they’re concentrating on the upper part of the wadi,” said "Arab Salim’s mukhtar, Mustafa Moussa, as he watched the fire spread. “They know the resistance uses the undergrowth to creep into the zone so they’re deliberately burning it all,” he added.

"Further south, "Israeli" phosphorous shells had ignited the dry brush around Kafra and Yater. The blaze spread rapidly to Majdal Zoun, 10km further west. Hundreds Tyre’s residents gathered on the beach to watch the blaze on the hills to the east as Nepalese Unifil soldiers struggled with local villagers to contain the fires which, by nightfall, had got out of control."

"By nighfall, brush fires had spread to Mansouri, facing the western sector of the "Israeli" occupation zone, trapping some 4,000 inhabitants."

"The blaze quickly spread to Unifil’s post in the village, which was promptly evacuated by its Nepalese occupants."

"Looking east from Jbaa in Iqleem al-Toffah, dozens of brush fires were visible as civil defence personnel and soldiers rallied to contain the blazes."

"In Wadi Jenneh, just south of Kfar Melki, a huge fire had erupted out of control, destroying hundreds of olive trees as soldiers looked on helplessly. Several fires had broken out in Qraiye, with one threatening a roadside petrol station. The owner hosed his fuel pumps with water but the fire petered out before reaching the station"… (1)

"Israel" found to have violated April accord… (2)
"The five-nation monitoring group upheld a Lebanese complaint and blamed "Israel" for violating the April agreement by shelling Baraasheit."

"A single 81mm mortar round exploded in Baraasheit on October 6, damaging a shop and two houses “in violation of the understanding”, the statement from the group said.

""Israel" also filed a complaint over allegations that the resistance fired mortar rounds from within populated areas northwest of Majdal Zoun."

"However, the group concluded that “there was no agreement on whether the launching site was in a civilian populated area”.

"The group, comprising delegates from Lebanon, Syria, France, "Israel" and the US, welcomed “the constructive attitude of the parties, in the presentation and evaluation of the evidence and noted that such an attitude reinforces the effectiveness of the understanding”.

More arbitrary measures by the "Israeli" occupation and its collaborators… (1)
"A collaborator militia force stormed into the under-construction public hospital in the town of Hasbaya", reports from the occupied zone said.

"The militiamen gathered the hospital employees and workmen and questioned them for a long time. Then the collaborators searched the rooms and ransacked their contents, thus putting work at the hospital to a halt for several hours", the reports added.

"Two employees were taken to the militia's security HQ in Tallet Zaghleh. After being questioned, the men were taken to the notorious al-Khiam detention center", as-Safir newspaper said.

"Moreover, reports from the liberated villages in the Hasbaya area said an "Israeli"-militia joint force conducted house-to-house search in the occupied villages of Ain Qinya, Hasbaya and Shwayya."

"Thirteen residents were summoned to the security center in Zaghleh where they were questioned before being released. Four members of the militia's security body in Hasbaya were also questioned.

Furthermore, a proxy-militia force entered the town of Shebaa and searched three houses under the pretext of looking for weapons and ammunition."

Occupation storms into Arnoun, detains two residents in Hasbaya… (1)
“An "Israeli" occupation force this morning set up a checkpoint on the Arnoun road. The enemy force stopped the crossing cars and questioned those in them.”

“In a new aggression against civilians, an "Israeli" armored force at 6:00 this morning set up a checkpoint on the road leading to the town of Arnoun. The road is the only link between the towns of Arnoun and Yohmor (which are not occupied but are adjacent to the occupied zone) and the Nabatieh town and area.”

“The enemy troops searched the cars entering and coming out of the town and questioned those in them. Residents entering or coming out of Arnoun on foot were subjected to similar measures.”

“At 10:15 the occupation forces released the held citizens and cars after threatening them.”

Afterwards, the "Israeli" force retreated amidst machine-gun combing into the town. The enemy troops searched a number of houses before returning at around 10:30 to the occupation's compound in the Beaufort Castle.”

“Furthermore, the occupation forces and their collaborators proceeded with acts of storming and detention in the occupied zone, especially in the Hasbaya area.”

“These acts centered mainly in the towns of Ain Qinya, Shebaa and Hasbaya.”

“A joint "Israeli"-collaborator force stormed into houses in the towns of Ain Qinya, Shebaa and Hasbaya and questioned a number of residents for hours”, reports from the occupied zone said.

“Eleven residents were summoned to the "security HQ" in Tallet Zaghleh, some of them were released later, but others, including Youssef Najeb Hdaifeh, 24, were taken to the notorious al-Khiam detention center, the names of the other detainees were not known”, the reports added.

“Three members of the collaborator militia were questioned at the Zaghleh security center and later in al-Khiam. They are now under constant observation”, as-Safir newspaper said.

“Moreover, the collaborator militiamen at the crossing gate of Zimraya barred Hind Hassan Abdel-Al, 45, and her two children, Ahmed, 11, and Fatima, 9, from entering the occupied zone, the daily added.

The gate's official tore the family's entrance permit and forced them to return to Beqaa. The family was on its way to its occupied hometown of Kfarshouba to pick the olive harvest, its only bread-winning source”, as-Safir said.

“Furthermore, Reports from the occupied zone said the "Israeli" security bodies conducted a comprehensive survey of the families and young men who support national parties in the areas of Marjeyoun and Hasbaya”.

“Scores of residents were summoned to the security center in the Marjeyoun barracks. The "Israelis" conveyed to them a threat issued by the liaison unit in the occupied zone warning them against any hostile activities or contacts.

Occupation forces block off Hasbaya and train collaborators to do their dirty jobs… (1)
The "Israeli" occupation forces have imposed a total closure on the occupied town of Hasbaya where a total curfew was still in force yesterday. The move followed several arrests over dawn."

"Meanwhile, the Zimraya crossing leading into the occupied zone has been closed to civilian traffic without explanation from the occupation forces."

"On the other hand, Syrian news Agency (SANA) quoted Lebanese military sources as saying that the "Israeli" occupation army has almost finished training 120 collaborator militiamen to fly and use military helicopters."

"The training course started last July inside occupied Palestine; it will continue until the end of November", the Lebanese sources said.

"The militiamen will be based in Marjeyoun. They will get their orders directly from the "Israeli" military command, the sources stated, adding that three helicopters will be used by the collaborator militiamen to stage swift aggressions in south Lebanon."

"In the liberated areas, Lebanese security forces have arrested Mohammed Raslan on suspicion of spying for Israeli enemy."

"Security sources said that Raslan, along with Mohammed Jaber, known as "Abu Alloush", had formed a spy ring aiming to collect information on Lebanese army positions and resistance men movements."

Occupation holds tens of cars at Zimraya crossing… (1)
"The forces searched the woods between the Zaghleh hilltop and the eastern part of the town of Hasbaya till the western entrance of the town of Ain Qinya."

"Reports said the occupation forces also stormed into several houses in the district of al-Ain in the northeastern part of the Hasbaya area."

"Continuing their arbitrary acts, the occupation forces have been holding about 30 cars at the Zimraya gateway since last Friday. The "Israelis" claim that the cars are not allowed to cross into the liberated areas due to "security reasons".

"The measure forced the drivers, particularly those with pick-ups loaded with vegetables and fruit to remove their loads and transfer them in cars brought from the zone."

"Moreover, for the fourth consecutive week, the occupation forces barred the Hasbaya farmers in villages at the confrontation line from harvesting their crops, especially olives."

"This means that more than 1000 farmers will not be able to benefit from their produce."

Mofaz paid inspection visit to South Lebanon…

The "Israeli" chief of staff Gen Shaul Mofaz reviewed some "Israeli" outposts in the occupied zone. He was accompanied by the "Israeli" chief of the liaison unit Gen Gabi Ashkenazi", pro-"Israeli" militia's radio said.

"The radio said that Mofaz held a meeting with the chief of the liaison unit and his officers. He also listened to field reports about the military situation and the situation of the occupied zone."

"On the Other hand, Lebanon filed two complaints with the April Understanding Monitoring Group (AUMG); the first over "Israeli" occupation forces' bombardment of the town of Bnaafool (Iqleem al-Toffah) which resulted in damaging several houses. The second Lebanese complaint protests the Israeli shelling of the town of Dallafeh (western Beqaa)."

"As usual the "Israeli" enemy resorted to lodging a complaint to balance the Lebanese complaint. The enemy claimed in its complaint that resistance operations were launched from populated areas."

The Houla massacre anniversary marked

"The people of the occupied town of Houla marked the 50th anniversary of the brutal massacre perpetrated by the "Israeli" enemy in their town in 1948."

"The rally, at the Hai al-Sollom Hussainyiet, was attended by several political figures and Ulama from the occupied zone and other Lebanese areas, including Representative of Imam Khamenei in Lebanon Sheikh Mohammed Yazbek, MP Hassan Khalil, MP Ahmed Swaid, and the Imam of Houla Sayyed Hassan Yassin."

"The meetings and conferences which are held here or there, in Washington or elsewhere, aim to extinguish the remaining light in this Ummah; however, we will be on the alert, Sheikh Yazbek said.

We will confront these plots with all our might, having united all as one to be in one front aiming the rifle at the enemy's head", he added.

"We want the liberation of Lebanon to top the forthcoming (cabinet's) agenda along with supporting the steadfastness of our people", Sheikh Yazbek said.

"Those who have been steadfast in the face of the enemy must be rewarded and the Mujahedeen must be backed, because there can be no solution with this enemy; the only connection between us will be one of blood," he added.

"More than 100 Lebanese civilians were slaughtered when "Israeli" terrorist gangs attacked them in Houla in 1948"…

"Israeli" aggressions, occupation detained old couple
"Israeli" occupation forces yesterday violated the April Understanding when their artillery bombarded the town of Qilia (western Beqaa) wounding Fatima Kamal Abdallah, 12."

"The same shelling almost took the lives of eight people; the family of Ali Jawdat Nasser narrowly escaped death when an "Israeli" artillery round hit and penetrated the roof of their house in Qilya."

"The "Israeli" violation of the April understanding which also damaged a number of houses and cars caused an electrical power failure in the town. It came only hours after Lebanon lodged two complaints with the April Understanding Monitoring Group over "Israeli" violations of the understanding."

"Moreover, reports from the occupied zone said the "Israeli" occupation forces yesterday brought into the Hasbaya front line an armored force reinforced by vehicles and Merkava tanks."

"The force was positioned in the occupation's outposts of Ain Qinya and Zaghleh which the collaborator Lahd militiamen had evacuated earlier", the reports added.

"The occupation forces last month detained Hassan Mohammed Saeed, 70, and his wife, Abdeh, 65."

"The whereabouts of the old couple were unknown until two days ago when they were able to send relatives a message from the notorious al-Khiam detention center"… (1)

"Israelis" train their collaborators for special ops… (2)

"An “elite” team of South Lebanon Army* militiamen is reportedly undergoing training for operations north of the occupation zone, replacing "Israeli" special forces troops who have abandoned covert operations in Lebanon."

"The Syrian news agency Sana on Saturday quoted Lebanese military sources as saying that "Israel" had almost completed the training of about 120 SLA men as a helicopter-borne special operations unit."

"The report said the training had begun in July and was due to be completed in November. "Israel" has already allotted three helicopters to be used by the group, which will based in Marjeyoun and be under direct "Israeli" command", the report said.

"Unifil sources said yesterday that rumours had persisted for years over certain seasoned SLA members being trained in special operations but considered the scenario of helicopter-borne elite militiamen “highly unlikely”.

"Israel’s" former chief of staff, Gen Amiram Levine, supported using "Israeli" commando units to strike targets north of the zone and to stage ambushes against infiltrating guerrillas."

"But the Insarieh fiasco last year ­ in which 12 naval commandos were killed ­ brought an end to covert operations. Gen Shaul Mofaz, who replaced Levine in July", has adopted a defensive policy, beefing up Israeli defensive positions and limiting movements in the zone to as little as possible."

"The suggestion that members of the demoralised SLA would be flown by "Israeli" helicopter pilots to hit resistance targets north of the zone is inconceivable given "Israel’s" distrust of the capabilities and loyalties of the militiamen."

Human tragedy in the South: Child dies due to occupation… (1)
"A new tragedy has shaken the south and its residents as it took the life of a southern boy whose only fault was to live under the yoke of "Israeli" occupation.'

"Ali Ghazal, of Arnoun, was detained by the "Israeli" occupation forces three month ago, he left a wife and 12 children. As the father was put in al-Khiam detention center, the family was living in terrible conditions."

"On Tuesday Ali's son, Ibrahim, 6, had severe stomachache due to intestinal problems.

Due to the blockade imposed by the "Israeli" occupation forces on the town, the family had to keep Ibrahim at home, for there are no clinics in the town to treat such cases."

"The mother could not sleep all night long; with the first morning hours she took her son to Nabatieh as his condition worsened."

"When she reached the Popular Relief Hospital in Nabatieh, the child had already passed away.

The mother asked what her son's fault was to lose his life due to "Israeli" blockade."

There was no immediate report of casualties in the attack which brought to 85 the number of "Israeli" occupation's air raids on Lebanon since the beginning of 1998"… (1)

"There are no guerrilla bases in the targeted area ­ as the "Israelis" know very well ­ and the “accurate hits” claimed by the spokesman would have consisted of little more than a few smashed rocks on a remote hillside"… (2)

"Hundreds of tons of top soil from the fertile al-Marj area in the occupation zone are being systematically stolen by the "Israelis" and dumped just inside the Jewish state for the benefit of the northern Galilee’s farmers."

"Bulldozers have scooped the rich, dark soil from an area of several hundred square meters just north of the border at Metulla. Trucks have transported the earth to form what appears to be a series of terraces, 100 meters inside the "Israeli" border, opposite to Odaisseh, 4 kilometers to the south of the excavation site."

"The low-lying 2 kilometer-wide plain of al-Marj extends north of the border for 7 kilometers, flanked on either side by hills. The rich well-irrigated loam of al-Marj ­ Arabic for “the field” ­ can support an abundance of crops, although much of it presently lies fallow due to its proximity to the border. The new terraces are being constructed on a rocky hillside and are clearly visible from the border road.

Local residents report that the "Israelis" only began removing the earth two weeks ago and the operation appears to be a well-organized process."

"Israel" is behind killing of police officers in Saida, governor says… (1)
"Security is tight in the southern city of Saida, after the killing of two traffic policemen on Saturday night. The governor of South Lebanon, Faisal Sayegh said "Israel" was behind the attack, and said investigators have information on the circumstances of the killings.'

"The Lebanese Army and security forces yesterday intensified patrols and checkpoints in Saida and around the city, as investigations have led to the arrest of some people suspected of links to Saturday night's murder of two traffic policemen, Morshed Abu Saleh and Nizar Aridi, in Saida's Martyr's Square. The governor of South Lebanon, Faisal Sayegh, last night convened an extraordinary security meeting in Saida, and decided that military prosecutors should handle the case. Sayegh accused "Israel" of masterminding the killings to sow instability in the city. He unveiled that investigators have made headway in determining the circumstances of the attack. Sayegh also reminded city residents of his decision that all motorcycles are banned from city streets between five PM and 7 AM."

"Witnesses had told police that two men on a black motorcycle, approached the cops and shot at them. More than a hundred motorcycles have been seized by security forces. The Lebanese Army and security forces immediately rushed to the scene and set up security checkpoints around the city. Sources were quoted in Beirut press yesterday as saying the assailants fled in a green Mitsubishi van. A number of suspects have been detained for interrogation. Investigators are inquiring whether the killings are connected to the shooting two weeks ago of an army sergeant Adib Elias Deeb also in Saida."

"Israeli" aggressions continued as AUMG met… (2)
"The April Understanding Monitoring convened in Naqoura at 10:00 a.m. to discuss five complaints, three of which are Lebanese.

Lebanon's complaints protest the injury of a civilian in the southern village of Kfar Romman and the destruction of homes in the village of Qiliya in the Western Beqaa."

"The occupation lodged two complaints, claiming that resistance men fired a rocket at northern occupied Palestine that wounded an "Israeli" soldier, and launched attacks from populated areas."
"The Islamic Resistance (IR) sources denied the "Israeli" accusation saying its Mujahedeen targeted the "Israeli" outpost of Berkat Reesha, situated to the east of Yareen in retaliation for "Israeli" phosphoric shelling of the Southern villages of Majdel Zoun and Mansouri which blazed fires in the fields of the two villages.

The panel is made up of representatives of Lebanon, Syria, France the United States, and ""Israel""."

"The April understanding bars targeting civilians and carrying out attacks from civilian areas. It, however, permits the Lebanese resistance to carry out operations against "Israeli" occupation forces and their collaborators in south Lebanon."

"Fourteen Lebanese civilians have been killed and 84 others wounded as a result of "Israeli" atrocities in south Lebanon since the beginning of the year."

"Israeli" bombardment overturned a car and set fires… (1)
""Israeli" occupation's aggressions on the woods of Habboush and the Zahrani River banks set areas ablaze. Civil Defense teams extinguished the fires."

"Meanwhile, "Israeli" enemy warplanes heavily circled in the skies of Iqleem al-Toffah, staging mock air raids while enemy helicopters were flying over the areas of al-Abbad and al-Rihan."

""Israeli" occupation forces in the morning pounded the Mount al-Zaatar area (between Tibbnine and Baraasheit and Wadi al-Qaissieh)."

"At around 13:00, the occupation forces in the Zaffateh outpost shelled Mazraat al-Hamra, Hima Arnoun and the Yohmor Plain with 155mm rounds, the outskirts of Toleen, Qabreikha and al-Tamrieh were targeted with 81mm rounds."

"As a result the "Israeli" bombardment which targeted the area between Khorbet Selim and al-Sawwaneh Ahmed Ali Sh'hab's car turned over."

"Sh'hab who was driving on the road linking the two towns was bruised in the crash."

"At 14:30 occupation forces once again shelled the outskirts of Qabrikha, Majdal Selem, and Touline with more than eighty 155mm and 175mm rounds fired from the enemy outposts in Mohaibib and Dhoor Meis."

"Meanwhile, enemy warplanes and helicopters were circling in the targeted area's skies and staging mock air raids."

"Israeli" ‘missions’ come as surprise… (2)
"A report that an elite team of "Israeli" naval commandos carried out a successful mission in Lebanon last week has come as a surprise to observers and security sources who are wondering exactly what operation the "Israelis" are claiming."

"In comments to the press Tuesday, "Israei's" navy commander, Admiral Alex Tal, said that the navy had been successful in containing attempts by Lebanese guerrillas to infiltrate the Jewish state by sea."

"Admiral Tal added that the commandos of Flotilla 13 had been “particularly active” in Lebanon despite the loss of 12 soldiers during the bungled raid on Insarieh in September last year.
“Just last week they carried out a successful raid, but I won’t elaborate on that,” the commander said.

Observers in Lebanon wish he would as there have been no reports of naval operations north of the occupation zone in months."

"A security source admitted being puzzled by Admiral Tal’s comments and said that there had been no naval commando operation in the past week."

“It looks like a public relations campaign in which he’s justifying the existence of Flotilla 13,” the source said.

"Elsewhere, Speaker Nabih Berri Wednesday condemned the theft by "Israel" of hundreds of tons of top soil from al-Marj in the zone."

“This aggression against Lebanon’s soil is a slight against the five permanent members of the UN security council and shows to what extent "Israel" is a friend of peace,” he said. “As if it’s not enough that there is a sea, air and land siege in the south, now our soil is being stolen in the same way that the "Israelis" stole our antiquities during the 1982 invasion.”

"He was reacting to Monday’s report in “The Daily Star” that an area of several hundred square meters has been denuded of top soil from the fertile al-Marj valley just north of the border. The soil is being used to construct agricultural terraces for the farmers of northern Galilee. The new terraces are only 100 meters on the other side of the border and are visible from the road between Taibe and Kfar Kila."

"Mr. Berri said he would be notifying embassies in Beirut and the Arab League to protest "Israel's" action and request that diplomats take the issue up with their respective governments."

Beirut demands "Israel" stop stealing soil from South Lebanon… (1)
""Israel" is stealing tons of fertile top soil from occupied south Lebanon. Beirut yesterday condemned that flagrant violation of international law and called on the world community to put a stop to it."

“House Speaker Nabih Berri yesterday confirmed press reports that "Israel" has been stealing top soil from fertile valleys in occupied south Lebanon. Berri notified UN secretary-general, Kofi Annan, member states of the UN Security Council, the Arab League, Arab and foreign parliaments, and various organizations, of "Israel's" latest crime in occupied south Lebanon. "Israel" has been stripping top soil from a hundred square meters fertile region, known as Marj Valley, north of the border with "Israel". Tons of fertile soil has been transported from that area and other valleys, according to Berri and press reports, to the northern Galillee region of "Israel", to construct terraces for the farmers. The House Speaker said "Israel's" theft of soil has become systematic, and only adds to the plight of southerners who have to endure "Israel's" land, water, and air siege. Berri warned the move only confirms "Israel's" disregard of international law and its constant violation of Lebanon's sovereignty."

"Israeli" allied militiamen expelled from occupation zone… (1)
"A former "Israeli"-allied militiaman was expelled from the occupation zone in south Lebanon. Najeeb Salman Sallam was driven from the Khiam detention center to the Zimraya checkpoint, one of five passageways linking the occupied area to the rest of Lebanon. "Israel's" proxy militia accused Sallam, of spying on the militia."

Arnoun's residents live life of fear due to "Israeli" occupation… (2)
"Arnoun is a front line village in south Lebanon. But unlike other areas that border the zone "Israel" occupies, Arnoun has a different predicament. It is practically besieged and often visited by "Israeli" patrols."

"The last Lebanese army checkpoint is a little bit over a kilometer from the southern village of Arnoun. Arnoun is not technically inside the zone "Israel" occupies in the south but it lies just beneath the Beaufort castle, one of the "Israeli" manned outposts. Cars are not allowed to enter the village forcing residents to cross by foot."

"Man from village said: Our village was a paradise, this man says. But it is not heaven anymore. It is a ghost town. He was right. We crossed into the village and the tragedy was evident. Most of the homes have been abandoned and it took a while before we came across people. There were some 30,000 people here before "Israel" carved out its occupation zone. Today the village only has some 30 residents and most of them are old."

"Woman from village said: Most of the people have fled because of the appealing conditions here, she explained. But my husband and I do not have any other choice. We had to stay. But young men cannot stay here. The "Israelis" will take them. At times, "Israeli" occupation forces set up temporary checkpoints right here at the entrance of the village. They search homes, check cars and detain residents who they suspect assist the Lebanese resistance before returning to their hilltop position.

"Israeli" forces constantly keep a close eye on the village. And its residents have to deal with constant harassment."

"Man in village said: "Israeli" patrols enter the village. They searched my home, this man said. They look through the drawers, the closets, everywhere. They also besiege the village. When night falls, no one is allowed to leave their homes. This family lost their five-year old brother". "He needed urgent medical treatment but they had to wait for morning to leave the village. And it just was too late. But life has to go on. Arnoun's residents, or to be more accurate, the remaining few, mainly rely on tobacco cultivation and olive harvests for their livelihood. The serenity of this village is deceptive. The people live in fear. And the hardships they face are all too obvious. As this woman put it: the only thing people here want is to live a normal life".