Thursday, July 20, 2006

Israel targets Hizbullah bunker in Beirut

From Ynet News, 20/7/06, by Hanan Greenberg ....

Israeli warplanes dropped bombs late Wednesday on a bunker in south Beirut where senior Hizbullah leaders were thought to be, the military said.

IDF officials told Ynet that dozens of Air Force fighter jets participated in the massive air strike on a south Beirut target, acting on IDF intelligence.

Intelligence stating that Nasrallah was staying in the bunker was received Wednesday night, and numerous IDF jets were dispatched to the place shortly after. Following a brief discussion, IDF officials decided that the information was sufficiently credible to act upon and launch a massive bombardment on the area.

The al-Manar television channel reported that the planes blasted a building that was under construction in the Bourj al-Barajneh quarter where a Palestinian refugee camp is located. The network stated that the structure was located outside of Hizbullah's stronghold in town.

'Israeli intelligence infiltrated Hizbullah'
According to army officials, the building itself was completely destroyed and the IDF was checking the results of the strike –whether the senior Hizbullah officials Israel was targeting were actually at the scene. Additionally, a senior IDF officer said that Israeli intelligence had significantly infiltrated Hizbullah.

...The military said the attack occurred between 8 and 9 p.m. Reporters in Beirut said they heard a huge explosion around 8:30 p.m.

Israel has said that one of the objects of its offensive in Lebanon is to eliminate Hizbullah leaders.

Roee Nahmias and AP contributed to the report

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