Israelis Shell South Lebanon After Rocket Lands in Galilee, Palestinian Factions Deny Responsibility

Israelis shells Lebanon after rocket lands in Galilee - Palestinian factions deny responsibility

Date: 21 / 02 / 2009  Time:  09:50
Bethlehem – Ma’an/Agencies –

Israel shelled southern Lebanon on Saturday after a rocket landed in its territory in an exchange of fire across their tense border.

A rocket fired from Lebanon landed near a house in the Western Galilee, lightly wounding three people.

Israelis responded by firing at least six artillery shells into southern Lebanon, causing residents to flee the border area in panic.

The Secretary of Fat'h movement in Lebanon, Sultan Abu Al-Aynayn said Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) factions had nothing to do with these Katyushas labeling the attack an “unconsidered action.”

He expressed opposition to what he called “improvised adventures. We are not ready to discuss any action which does not gain Lebanese support,” he said.

A member of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) politburo, Ramiz Mustafa said that the PFLP had nothing to do with the two rockets.

“We have allies in Lebanon, and we consult with them, and take action only on what we agree on with them,” he said.

He said the Palestinian factions were not responsible for the attack. “We take into consideration the sensitivity of the situation in Lebanon, and the Lebanese security must tell who stands behind such deeds as they are the only authorized side to tell that.”

The Israeli military meanwhile said it "considers this a serious incident and believes it is the responsibility of the Lebanese government and the army to prevent this rocket fire."


***Updated at 14:08 Bethlehem time

Two Israelis mildly wounded in the Western Jaleel (Galilee)

Saturday February 21, 2009 12:19 by Saed Bannoura - IMEMC & Agencies

Israeli sources reported Saturday morning that two missiles, fired from the Lebanese territories, struck an area in the Western Jaleel (Galilee): two Israelis were lightly wounded, and three others were treated for shock.

The sources added that the police and medics arrived at the scene and found out that a 122-millimeter missile detonated in an area close to a home in the western Jaleel (Gallilee). The missile is similar to missiles fired by Hezbollah during the latest war between Hezbollah and Israel.

Also, another missile was fired towards Israel but landed and detonated in Lebanese territory. The missiles were apparently fired from Mansouri area, south of Tyre.

The sources added that the Israeli Army shelled an area in southern Lebanon, and a military spokesperson said that the army held the Lebanese government and Lebanese Army responsible for the attack, and said that the government and the army should foil such attacks”.

Lebanese security sources said that the Israeli Army fired six artillery shells into southern Lebanon in retaliation to the attack.

Furthermore, Israel warned that it would retaliate harshly against any attempt to down Israeli fighter-jets flying over Lebanon, Israeli online daily, Haaretz, reported.

The Israeli Air Force carries out routine flights over southern Lebanon to collect intelligence about Hizbullah, Haaretz added.