|
Heavy Hizbullah anti-aircraft fire over Galilee
JPost - Reg Req'd - Stirrings on the northern border of IsraelHezbollah gunners fired several separate salvoes of anti-aircraft shells over Western and Upper Galilee on Thursday, with shrapnel falling in Kiryat Shmona and causing some damage but no casualties. Burning fragments also fell in the grounds of a kibbutz in the area and on open land nearby, sparking a brush fire that was quickly extinguished by firemen. Hizbullah said the firing was in response to violations of Lebanese airspace by IAF warplanes. Reports from Lebanon said there were extensive flights over the country on Thursday and that the planes caused sonic booms over the port city, Sidon, and the capital, Beirut. Messages sent/received Kiryat Shmona Mayor Haim Barbivay said the Hizbullah anti-aircraft firing was heavier than usual and was clearly heard by residents of the city, many of whom were out shopping at the open air market. He said some shrapnel had fallen in the city and caused minor damage to vehicles, but no one was hurt, despite the fact it was an outdoors market day. "If I have to chose between the bad, in terms of the anti-aircraft firing, or the worse in the form of Katyusha rockets, then I suppose I prefer the former," said Barbivay. "It is not very pleasant, however, and is certainly not something you get used to. So far, we have been very lucky, but this cannot be allowed to continue. We are now in the run-up to the long summer vacation when thousands of children will be out and about at all times of the day. If there is any firing then and falling shrapnel, it could lead to casualties." Barbivay called on the government to take "appropriate measures" to cease the anti-aircraft firing, even if it meant stopping flights over Lebanon and thereby removing Hizbullah's pretext for the shelling. Nice Chamberlain on you, Barbivay Posted by: Frank G 2003-06-12 |
| http://www.rantburg.com/poparticle.php?ID=15376 |