Israel resumes Lebanese offensives
Israel resumes Lebanese offensives
Also In The News
|
Super League leaders St Helens continued their devastating form with a 30-24 home win over Harlequins in Brian McDermott's first game in charge for the visitors. |  |
Saturday, 15, Jul 2006 07:43
The Israeli army has resumed air-strikes in Lebanon targeting the country's infrastructure, following an earlier missile attack upon one of its warships by Hizbullah militants.
As with the previous three days of bombing, roads, bridges and petrol stations were hit, as Israel continues its campaign to secure the release of two soldiers taken captive last week.
The latest army strike reportedly left 17 Lebanese civilians dead, including women and children, when a van trying to flee the southern regions was hit.
The Jewish state is also bidding to prevent Hizbullah militants from firing rockets into its territory, one of which hit a ship forming part of the blockade in Lebanese waters, with four navy personnel reported missing as a result.
More than 60 rockets were fired into Israel yesterday alone, with two female fatalities reported on a border settlement.
Israel's military actions have drawn widespread international disapproval for the "disproportionate" level of force, but the country's prime minister, Ehud Olmert, has vowed that the release of hostages remains a precursor to a ceasefire.
Last night, an audio message from the head of Hizbullah, Hassan Nasrallah, promised "open war" with Israel following the destruction of his offices in southern Beirut.
"Our homes will not be the only ones to be destroyed, our children will not be the only ones to die. Those days are over, I promise you. You wanted an open war and we are ready for an open war," he said.
Local media reports claim that three civilians have died on the Syrian border this morning from Israeli air-strikes, as the army maintains its land, air and sea blockade, with Beirut international airport also being locked down.
Israel has said it holds the Lebanese government entirely responsible for the actions of Hizbullah and for failing to disarm the militant group that also holds seats in its parliament. However, close allies Syria and Iran have pledged to support Lebanon if full-blown war breaks out.
For their part, Hizbullah is demanding that Israel releases Palestinian, Lebanese and other Arab prisoners from its jail in return for the two soldiers.
The Lebanese conflict is set against the backdrop of continuing clashes in the Gaza Strip, as the Israeli army continues its campaign to release another captured soldier.
The UN security council held an emergency meeting yesterday to urge an end to hostilities, and a top-level diplomatic team has been dispatched to the area.