Lebanese troops opened fire Thursday on Israeli warplanes flying low over southern Lebanon, but no hits were reported, Lebanese officials said.
Israeli warplanes frequently fly over Lebanese airspace in what Israel says are reconnaissance missions, but this was the first time the Lebanese army has fired on the aircraft since an Aug. 14, 2006, cease-fire ended a monthlong war between Israeli and Hezbollah guerrillas. Lebanese soldiers opened up with machine guns and light anti-aircraft weapons mounted on armored vehicles at two planes that flew by just east of Marjayoun town near the border at midmorning, a Lebanese security official said. A total of 150 rounds were fired, he added. A senior military officer also said the army "confronted" the Israeli planes, but gave no details.
The Israeli military does not comment on air operations, but there were no reports from Jerusalem of any planes being hit. Earlier this year, Lebanese and Israeli soldiers briefly exchanged fire near the border village of Maroun el-Rass where the U.N.-demarcated Blue Line was not clearly marked. There were no casualties. |