Israel continues to strike Lebanon despite the 48-hour truce

July 31, 2006

Ma'an- Clashes continued between the Israeli forces and Hezbollah fighters on Monday. Israel expanded their ground operation in southern Lebanon and Hezbollah fighters inflicted greater losses among the Israeli forces.

Hezbollah declared on Monday that it destroyed three Israeli tanks and two bulldozers at the Al Kafr Kila - Addaisseh crossroads and confirmed that they had renewed bombardment of this junction.

In a statement, Hezbollah said, "after attacks that the enemy received at the aforementioned crossroads, two Israeli 'D-9' bulldozers attempted at night to open the road between the towns of Al Kafr Kila and Addaisseh for tanks; the resistance fighters faced them, destroying them and striking their crew".

The statement added that "at 8:00 am on Monday, a number of Israeli tanks attempted to progress towards the two aforementioned towns; the Lebanese resistance faced then and destroyed two of the tanks completely while they hit another tank which led to it turning back towards occupied Palestinian territory; the crews of the three tanks were killed or injured".

Israel recognized the injury of three soldiers in the clashes, pointing out that they were exposed to anti-tank missiles.

Israel claimed that eight Hezbollah fighters were killed during clashes with the Israeli forces in At Tayyabah, a village west of Kafr Kila. Lebanese sources have yet to confirm these allegations.

Lebanese media sources in Nabatiyeh reported that despite the truce declared by the Israeli air force for 48 hours, the Israeli warplanes have not left the region's skies; they continue to fly at low altitudes and carry out intensive bogus attacks over the villages.

The Israeli artillery bombardment continues on a number of villages along the Litani River, including Zawtar Ash Sharqiyat where a number of Israeli missiles landed on Monday morning.

At 2:00 am on Monday, Israeli warplanes launched a series of raids targeting various main roads in the east of Lebanon. The roads between Kufr Yanta and Deir Al Asha'er, and between Biader Al Adas, Ayta Al Fakhar and Yanta Malqiyya, were hit by several rockets which led to the roads being cut and separated from the Rashaya Valley.

Israeli air strike coincided with the intensive flight of reconnaissance planes flew over the areas of Rashaya and the Western Beqaa Valley .On Monday morning, Israeli warplanes flew at medium altitude over the regions of Hasbayya, Arqoub and the Western Beqaa.