Israel Bombs Lebanese Cities, Hezbollah Fires Rockets Into Haifa
23 July 2006
Israeli warplanes have bombed targets in Lebanon for a 12th day, while Hezbollah militants fired rockets into northern Israel, killing at least two people.
Israeli police say at least 14 other Israelis were wounded when a barrage of Hezbollah rockets slammed into the northern port city of Haifa Sunday.
Meanwhile, Israeli aircraft pounded Hezbollah strongholds in Beirut and the port city of Sidon, to the south. At least three people were hurt in Sidon.
The attacks continue even as diplomatic efforts are stepped up. Foreign ministers from Germany, Britain and France are to hold talks here ahead of U.S. Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice's visit, expected on Monday.
On Saturday, the Israeli army said it ousted Hezbollah militants from the key southern Lebanese village of Maroun al-Ras. General Beni Gantz said Israeli air and ground forces took over the village, a Hezbollah stronghold close to the Israeli-Lebanese border.
Meanwhile, the United States is expediting an arms shipment of precision-guided bombs to Israel. The decision to rush delivery of the weapons follows an Israeli request and is part of a multi million-dollar arms deal approved last year.
Israel's offensive started when the Lebanese-based militant group Hezbollah kidnapped two Israeli soldiers and killed eight others in a July 12 raid in Israel.
More than 300 Lebanese and 34 Israelis have been killed in the violence, with another 500 Lebanese and 200 Israelis wounded.
United Nations officials say humanitarian chief Jan Egeland arrived in Lebanon Sunday to launch an appeal for millions of dollars in aid to help the half-million civilians displaced by Israel's bombing.
On Saturday, Egeland said $100 million is urgently needed to help avert a humanitarian crisis in Lebanon. He called the situation in southern Lebanon a "very major crisis" with thousands of Lebanese leaving the scene of the worst violence.
Israel dropped leaflets Friday urging civilians to move about 30-kilometers north of the Israeli border.
Meanwhile, world governments continue to evacuate their citizens, with more than 25,000 people having already been moved to the nearby island of Cyprus.
Cyprus Foreign Minister George Lillikas said the island will need financial assistance from European nations if it is to keep receiving the thousands fleeing the violence.
Mr. Egeland is to meet with Israeli officials on Tuesday.
Some information for this report was provided by AFP, AP.
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