Posted on 07/13/2006 3:42:04 AM PDT by Aussie Dasher
Israel says its naval ships are in Lebanon's territorial waters to enforce a blockade after Hezbollah guerrillas captured two soldiers yesterday in a border clash.
"Since this morning, Israeli naval vessels have enforced a full naval closure on Lebanon because Lebanon's ports are used to transfer both terrorists and weapons to the terror organisations operating in Lebanon," a military spokesman said.
Israeli planes earlier attacked Beirut's international airport and other sites in southern Lebanon, killing at least 27 people.
An Israeli Defence Forces spokesman, Captain Jacob deLal, says the airport was used to transfer weapons and supplies to Hezbollah.
"We're targeting Hezbollah weapons storage facilities and other outposts and other offices and various parts of their infrastructure," he said.
"They get planeloads of weapons and rockets from Syria and from Iran.
"This is known to everyone, it's been going on for years."
Israel's Army Radio says other airports in Lebanon could be targeted too.
Israeli Cabinet Minister Isaac Herzog says the aim is to put pressure on the Lebanese Government to act against Hezbollah, which seized the soldiers and killed seven others in an attack yesterday.
"We will take all necessary measures to bring an end to the rogue behaviour of a state that does not assume responsibility and put an end to the activities of a major partner in their own government," he said.
The Lebanese Government has said it is not responsible.
Rocket attacks
Hezbollah militants have retaliated by firing rockets at homes and apartment buildings in north Israel, killing one Israeli civilian and wounded at least 21.
An ambulance service says a 40-year-old woman was killed when a rocket hit her house in the city of Nahariya.
The Israeli Army says it is unclear how many Katyusha rockets hit the coastal city, five kilometres south of the border, but Hezbollah says it has fired 60 rockets at Nahariya.
The Army says rockets and mortar bombs have also struck at least seven other communities in northern Israel.
A resident in one building that was hit, Maya Nir, told Israeli television: "I had made a cup of coffee ... and was heading toward the staircase when I heard three massive booms".
"My husband hit the floor with our child, then we just fled."
Officials say one projectile has damaged an Israeli airforce base near Mount Meron.
Travel warning
The Australian embassy in Beirut has been temporarily closed because of the escalating violence.
The Department of Foreign Affairs is also advising Australians not to travel to Lebanon
People concerned about relatives in the area are being advised to contact them directly or phone 1300 555 135.
The violence is the worst between Israel and Lebanon since 1996, when Israeli troops still occupied part of south Lebanon.
The Israeli army pulled out of the area in 2000, 22 years after it moved in to fight Palestinian guerrillas who controlled a border strip.
Lebanon is going to pay the price for appeasing these terrorists for so many years.
Actually more serious than that. Along with being a terrorist group, Hizbollah is an integral part of the Lebanese government, participating in elections and currently holding about a quarter of their legislative seats. They maintain a private army with the clear forbearance of the Lebanese Government. Field Marshall Dean ordering DNC troops into action in Mexico under the command of Admirall Kerry would be closer. It's a clear act of war waged by one sovereign state on another.
You (IDF) guys do what you have to do. God's given you the weapons and will bless them that bless you and curse them that curse you!
Three cheers for GWB. And if Iran steps in....we can take care of that problem very nicely!
Thanks for the excellent pics.
In Beirut Lebanon, at the Rafik Hariri International Airport.
========= Damour =========
In Damour, south Beirut .
========= Saida =========
In Saida, Lebanon, at the Al Owali bridge.
========= Zahrani =========
In Zahrani, Lebanon.
========= Nahariya =========
In Nahariya, Israel, an Israeli woman is wheeled away after she was killed
by a Hezbollah rocket after Hezbollah and Lebanon declarated War on Israel.
Wow I can't believe this is happening. Just dang.
Thank you. You inspire my Israel cheerleading.
Watching FOX - CNN - MSNBC and they are not saying TOO much about all of this. Must not be serial. /sarc
I HATE THE MEDIA HERE IN THE STATES. GEEESH
Hezbollah is stronger than the Leb. Govt., thanks to Syria and Iran.
Katyusha rocket lands in northern town of Hatzur (Haaretz)
Ny passage or chapter specifically?
Ezekiel Chapters 38 and 39
Thats all she wrote folks. When the President of the United States made this comment the dogs of war were officially unleashed.
I'm sure GWB got a call before all the fireworks began and gave it his blessing.
"Watching FOX - CNN - MSNBC and they are not saying TOO much about all of this. Must not be serial. /sarc"
Maybe we can get lucky and FOX can soon wrap up all of their scandal sheet news stories into one, such as - - - Breaking News on Fox - - - Duke University student accused in the Rape case confesses he was also in Aruba during the time of the disappearance of coed Natalie Holloway, who had close friend who worked for the CIA who may have leaked the information on Valerie Plame, but this friend of Holloway disappeared aboard a Caribbean cruise ship with no clue but some blood stains.
In Beirut, at the Rafik Hariri International Airport.
========= Lebanon =========
In Lebanon, at the Litani bridge.
========= Saida =========
In Saida, Lebanon.
In Saida, the Al Owali bridge.
In Saida, Lebanon, Palestinian terrorists in Ain El-Hilweh.
========= Sidon =========
In Sidon, Lebanon, on the Awali River.
Yes, and I agree. His tone was stern.
It's about time! We should have unleashed Israel years ago. They've been remarkably tolerant of the attacks against them.
I'd also like to point out that this is one more reason never to surrender territory you've taken in a legitimate war. The Israel owns Gaza, the West Bank and southern Lebabnon as they conquered those lands after they were unjustly attacked. They should have annexed them outright and kicked the islamics out of their territory
Excellent.
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