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Hizbollah Says Fires at Israeli Jets Over Lebanon

Wednesday, May 14, 2003
(12:38 GMT)
Reuters

BEIRUT
Lebanon's Hizbollah guerrilla group said on Wednesday it fired anti-aircraft guns at Israeli warplanes that roared over south Lebanon in violation of the country's air space.

"The air defence unit of the Islamic resistance confronted...enemy Israeli warplanes that violated Lebanese sovereignty over the western sector of south Lebanon," Hizbollah said in a statement.

Witnesses said the planes flew over the towns of al-Naqoura and Bint Jbeil in two waves. No planes were reported hit.

Last month, Israel said three anti-aircraft shells fired from Lebanon landed across the border in northern Israel, including a dud that fell near a school.

Israeli jets often draw Hizbollah anti-aircraft fire when they enter Lebanon's air space. The Shi'ite Muslim group played a major role in forcing Israel to withdraw from south Lebanon in 2000 after a 22-year occupation.

The United Nations warned in February that an increase in flights by Israeli jets over Lebanon could escalate into a more serious conflict.

The United Nations views both the flights and the retaliatory fire as violations of the terms of Israel's pullout.
(Source: AlertNet.org)
2003 © Reuters, Ltd.

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