Three Lebanese villages have asked to be incorporated into the security zone north of the Israel border which is protected by the Israel-backed South Lebanon Army (SLA) and elements of the Israel Defense Force. The villages lie just outside the zone. Apparently they hope to benefit from the relative quiet of the security zone and from opportunities for trade and commerce with Israel, senior IDF sources said, A decision is expected after it is ascertained that a majority of the villagers favor incorporation. According to IDF sources, the security zone set up after Israel completed its withdrawal from Lebanon last June, has been a success.
The population of the zone is put at 220,000. According to SLA commander Gen. Antoine Lehad, there is no shortage of volunteers for his force which numbers 2,400 men plus IDF advisers and other personnel. The cooperation of this population has resulted in better intelligence to warn of attacks by pro-Syrian Lebanese and other hostile elements.
Several attacks on SLA positions at the northern edge of the zone were reported during the past 24 hours. The SLA responded with tank and mortar fire. According to SLA sources, the number of Palestinians taking part in these attacks in increasing.
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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.
