Israel intensified its air attacks on terrorist strongholds in southern and western Lebanon today and identified in detail the targets hit to refute Lebanese claims that the air raids were intended to terrorize civilians. The Israeli jets struck this morning for the third consecutive day and returned safely to their bases. SAM-7 ground-to-air missile fire was encountered over some of the targets, a military communique said.
A communique issued at noon today said Israeli jets attacked terrorist bases in southern Lebanon for 20 minutes, beginning at 10:30 a.m. local time. A later communique reported a 75-minute strike at terrorist bases and installations in western Lebanon. The targets included terrorist training camps, bunkers, garages and command posts, according to the communique.
Lebanon has claimed heavy civilian casualties and property damage from the Israeli air raids, Israeli sources noted that the terrorists deliberately locate their bases in refugee camps or near villages as a shelter from air attacks. Today’s communique stressed that all targets hit were clearly identified and that every possible precaution was taken to avoid damage to civilian property.
According to the communique, the targets of today’s air strikes included: El Burj-el-Shim-all, a command post of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine-General Command near Tyre on the Lebanese coast. The PFLP-GC, headed by Ahmed Jibril, is the terrorist organization responsible for the April 11 Kiryat Shemona massacre; Ein el Hilva, near Sidon, a command post of the Popular Liberation Army; an El Fatah garage and an encampment of the “Armed Struggle” organization, a group that infiltrates terrorists into Israel; also, Ras el Din, near Rashdiyeh in the Tyre area a tent encampment of an El Fatah operational unit; and at Rashdiyeh, a camp of the Popular Liberation Army and three terrorist bunkers north of the town.
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