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Hizbullah fire 150 rockets toward Israeli cities

SPECIAL TO WORLD TRIBUNE.COM
Friday, July 14, 2006

The Iranian-sponsored Hizbullah has begun targeting major Israeli cities.

Hizbullah has fired extended-range Katyusha rockets toward the Israeli city of Haifa, Middle East Newsline reported. Haifa is Israel's third largest city and contains a chemical plant and naval port.

"The Islamic Resistance announces it will bombard Haifa and its surroundings if Beirut or its southern suburb come under any direct aggression," Hizbullah said hours before its initial strike on Thursday.

Two Iranian-origin Fajr rockets landed in western Haifa in the first enemy strike on the city since Iraq launched extended-range Scud missiles in 1991. An Israeli was reported to have been lightly injured in an attack for which Hizbullah denied reponsibility.

About two hours later, Israel warplanes attacked Hizbullah strongholds in southern Beirut. The jets also struck the Beirut-Damascus highway and the road was closed.

The combat planes dropped leaflets that urged Beirut residents to remain in their homes. Hizbullah operatives were said to have begun fleeing the area.

In all, the Israel Air Force conducted more than 100 bombing sorties in Lebanon. The operations damaged Beirut International Airport and sought to sever Lebanon's air, sea and ground links to the rest of the world. Lebanon said more than 60 people have been killed.

Hizbullah has fired extended-range Katyusha rockets toward several military bases, including Northern Command. Two Israelis were killed and 100 injured in Hizbullah rocket salvos throughout northern Israel.

In all, Hizbullah fired more than 150 rockets toward Israel on Thursday and Friday. Hizbullah was said to have accumulated more than 15,000 missiles and rockets in southern Lebanon.

"Over the next few days, we will limit this threat altogether," Maj. Gen. Udi Adam, chief of the military's Northern Command, said.


Copyright © 2006 East West Services, Inc.

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