Israeli preparations for the withdrawal of its troops from the Shouf mountain area, the scene of recent violent clashes between Christian Phalangists and Druze villagers and the region where the Israel Defense Force has sustained many casualties in recent months, appear to be moving into high gear.
Reports from Beirut today described the frequent movement of long convoys of heavy trucks carrying prefabricated huts and other equipment from the Shouf area to the coast near Damour south of Beirut and then south along the coastal road towards the Awali River, where Israeli troops are being redeployed.
The IDF explained the movement as “merely routine… withdrawal of winter equipment no longer needed (in the Shouf area.)” But Israeli military correspondents touring the Awali River line reported massive earth works in progress, with heavy tractors and equipment leveling areas for winterized prefabricated huts and the widening of existing roads and building new roads to command posts overlooking the narrow river.
Meanwhile, IDF troops were reported to be continuing their occupation of the Phalangist headquarters in Falous east of Sidon, from which the Christian forces had been ousted earlier this week. Reports from Beirut that the IDF had returned the base to the Phalangists were denied by the IDF. Israeli forces took over the base because the Phalangists had refused to cooperate with the IDF in halting their attacks against nearby Moslem and Druze villages. Despite the takeover of the base, relations between the Phalangists and the IDF are said to remain amicable.
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
