Israel Attacks Guerrilla Targets in Lebanon
Israeli warplanes attacked suspected guerrilla hide-outs in southern Lebanon for the second straight day Saturday, following attacks on its forces, Lebanese security officials said.
Two Israeli jets fired two missiles at a valley near the village of Rihan, about six miles north of Marjayoun, the main town in an Israeli-occupied zone in south Lebanon, officials said. There was no immediate word on casualties from the afternoon airstrike.
In Jerusalem, an Israeli army spokesman confirmed the raid, saying the planes had returned safely after attacking “guerrilla targets” outside the occupied zone.
The airstrike came shortly after Iranian-backed Hezbollah guerrillas fired rockets and machine guns at four Israeli and allied militia outposts in the zone. The Hezbollah said one of its guerrillas was killed in the fighting.
On Friday, Israeli jets twice raided suspected guerrilla bases in southern Lebanon in response to a series of attacks launched by Hezbollah and Amal guerrillas on Israeli and allied militia outposts. No casualties were reported in those attacks.
Lebanese guerrillas have been fighting to oust Israeli soldiers from the occupied zone, which Israel contends it needs to protect against cross-border guerrilla incursions.
Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak has pledged to withdraw Israeli troops from southern Lebanon by July.
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