Lebanonwire, January 22, 2003

The Daily Star

Compiled by Daily Star staff

RASHAYA, Lebanon: Hizbullah unleashed a barrage of machine gun fire and rockets at Israeli troops in a disputed border area of south Lebanon on Tuesday, drawing retaliatory air and artillery attacks that wounded two civilians.
Israel said the attack was the first in the Shebaa Farms area in five months. It called it a “serious development.”
Dib Yassin, 82, was wounded in the legs by shrapnel and Samira Abu Qais, a 20-year-old woman, suffered chest injuries.
Hospital sources in Marjayoun said that the man had to have both legs amputated.
About 15 mortar bombs and 107 mm Katyusha rockets were fired at two neighboring Israeli positions at Roueisat al-Alam.
Israeli fighter-bombers later dropped four missiles to the west of Kfar Shuba. Gunners fired several rounds of 155mm artillery rounds and opened up with heavy machine guns on positions around the village, security sources said.
Hizbullah said Roweissit al-Alam was attacked after a group of Israeli soldiers left their outpost. “The target took a direct hit,” it said in a statement.
It was the first Hizbullah attack in the southern border area since Aug. 29, when three Israeli soldiers were wounded.
The Israeli Army reported no injuries in Tuesday’s attack.
“This bombardment is a serious development. It is a clear attempt to provoke an escalation in the region ahead of the Israeli general elections or of a possible war with Iraq,” said a spokesman for Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon.
“Responsibility for maintaining calm in the sector and for these serious developments falls on those who support Hizbullah,” Raanan Gissin told AFP.
Tuesday’s flare-up coincided with a visit to Beirut by US legislator, Darrell Issa. He is discussing the fate of Israelis captured by Hizbullah and Lebanese detainees in the Jewish state.
In October 2000, Hizbullah captured three Israeli soldiers in the Shebaa Farms area and the militia is also holding a civilian, Elhanan Tannenbaum, who was seized in mysterious circumstances.
Israel believes the soldiers died of their injuries, but Hizbullah has so far refused to provide any information.
Issa, a Republican from California, told reporters after talks with Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri that Hizbullah should grant the Red Cross access to the prisoners.
But the movement snubbed the call, saying it was “always ready” to exchange information on the prisoners if Israel released detained Lebanese and Palestinians. Otherwise there was “nothing new” in Issa’s proposal.

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