NICOSIA Ñ Lebanese sources said the Iranian-backed Hizbullah fired SA-7 missiles for the first time
since Israel's withdrawal from Lebanon in June 2000. Hizbullah fired the
missiles toward Israeli fighter-jets that attacked targets in southern
Lebanon on Monday.
The sources said the Hizbullah use of SA-7s appear to mark a new stage
in its military campaign against Israel. Previously, Hizbullah had deployed
anti-aircraft artillery against Israeli fighter-jets, Middle East Newsline reported. The sources said the missiles were being
operated by Iranian military personnel in southern Lebanon.
Israeli warplanes released red balloons to divert the missiles. No
aircraft was struck.
Hizbullah resumed rocket and mortar attacks on Israeli military
positions on Tuesday evening and early Wednesday. The attacks were reported
in the Shebaa plateau and Golan Heights. A 107 mm Katyusha rocket landed in
Israel's northern Galilee region.
Hizbullah secretary-general Hassan Nasrallah said the movement has
numerous other weapons that could be used against Israel. Nasrallah would
not elaborate, but Lebanese sources said he was referring to the thousands
of short-range rockets that could strike cities in northern Israel.
"We should be prepared to face the worst," Nasrallah said. "We keep this
[weapons] for the worst-case scenario."
