Israel Matzav

IDF tells South Lebanese to evacuate northward; Hezbullah trying to force them to stay

Arutz Sheva is reporting this morning that the IDF is continuing Arabic language broadcasts urging residents of South Lebanon to evacuate northwards for their own safety. The order applies to all Lebanese who are south of the Litani River, some 25 miles from Israel's northern border, and covers some 300,000 people.

But Galei Tzahal (Army) Radio reported on Wednesday night that Hizbullah is working to prevent the southern Lebanese area residents from traveling north, preferring to compel as many civilians as possible to remain in the area, seeking to increase civilian casualties in IDF aerial assaults.

In the meantime, DEBKAfile reported last night that Hezbullah has 'sub-contracted' the actual launching of rockets to 'Palestinian' groups in Lebanon and that it is attempting to use Christian villages as human shields for their activities. The 'Palestinian' groups involved are Islamic Jihad and Ahmed Jibril's PFLP - General Command.

DEBKAfile further discloses that the rocket fire against the eastern town of Safed emanates from the Maronite Christian village of Rumeish, while the Galilee panhandle villages and the town of Kiryat Shemona are being attacked from the Christian villages of Marjayoun and Kleia in central-south Lebanon. One difficulty in halting Hizballah’s rocket barrage in the east has been Israel’s reluctance to attack Christian targets, except for pinpointing launch teams. Israeli negotiators are in contact with the village heads on terms for their evacuation so that Hizballah sites can be smashed.

Hizballah is using Lebanese Christians as human shields for its attacks and their towns and villages as supply centers to pump ordnance to the launch teams in forward positions. The Israeli air force therefore attacked Hizballah targets sheltering near the Maronite town of Zahleh Tuesday and is taking out every container truck heading west from the Beqaa Valley on the Syrian border. Eighteen such trucks were blown up Tuesday.

You will recall that I reported last night why Hezbullah is shipping in new weapons from Syria and not using their stockpiles in Lebanon.

DEBKAfile is also reporting that Israel's ground operations in Lebanon are much more extensive than has been reported in the mainstream media - including much of Eastern and Central Lebanon, and that incursions have even been made into Syria in pursuit of fleeing Hezbullah terrorists.

posted by Carl in Jerusalem @ 8:31 AM