Israel Matzav

Massive series of explosions in southern Lebanon

A massive series of explosions in an 'abandoned building' in Khirbet Silim, about 10 miles north of Lebanon's border with Israel show that Hezbullah has violated the terms of UN Security Council Resolution 1701 by re-arming in villages south of the Litani River, which is about 25 miles north of the border.

The blasts caused no casualties, but took place on the third anniversary of the month long summer war between Israel and the Shiite group and triggered widespread panic among residents, some of whom mistook it for an Israeli air raid.

The depot in the village of Khirbet Silim, about 10 miles north of the border, was housed in an abandoned building and was likely used during the 2006 war, added the official who spoke on condition of anonymity in line with military regulations.

Lebanese soldiers and firefighters sealed the area off after the explosions to keep journalists away.

The Lebanese army issued a statement saying only that the area was sealed after an explosion in an abandoned building and that a joint committee from the military and UN peacekeepers was investigating.

Andrea Tenenti, a spokesman for UN peacekeepers in south Lebanon, said UNIFIL was investigating the incident and had not yet determined the cause of the explosions.

According to Israeli security sources, the Hezbollah depot contained various of types of rockets, including Katyusha rockets, which the organization was hiding. The rockets are being stored for future use against Israel. The Israeli sources further claimed that the incident is testimony to the fact that Hezbollah continues to use Lebanese villages along the border to hide weapons among the civilian population, effectively turning them into human shields.

Hezbollah officials were not immediately available for comment.

Hmmm.

posted by Carl in Jerusalem @ 11:32 PM