The highway has major significance to the terror organization, serving as a primary route for the weapons supply train. Operatives use the road to bring weapons and ammunition from Iran to Hizbullah via Syria.
IAF aircraft also struck other Hizbullah targets, including Hizbullah headquarters in a densely populated neighborhood in south Beiru, deep in the Lebanon Valley near the Syrian border, major roadways and other strategic locations. Fighter pilots focused their efforts particularly on the Beirut airport, repeatedly bombing the facility which serves as a transfer point for weapons to the terrorists.
Israel 'Takes off the Gloves' After Haifa Attack
Following the firing of two surface-to-surface rockets into Haifa on Thursday night, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert convened the Security Cabinet to decide on Israel's response to the escalation. The Cabinet decided to ‘take off the gloves’ in the war against Hizbullah.
Israel rejected Hizbullah's denial that the organization had launched the long-range surface-to-surface missile at Haifa following the attack on the northern port city. A statement by government officials said that Israel holds Hizbullah and the government of Lebanon responsible for the ongoing anti-Israel terror from Lebanon. The statement also accused Syria and Iran of funding the campaign of terror.
Emerging from the high-level security briefing, Defense Minister Amir Peretz stated Israel would crush Hizbullah, vowing to bring the terror organization to its knees. Earlier in the day, he noted that new realities will exist, and said that Israel would no longer tolerate a Hizbullah presence along its northern border with southern Lebanon.
A Barrage of Katyushas Along the Northern Border
More than 120 122mm Katyusha rockets struck Israel on Thursday, as did some 500 mortar shells, injuring over 110 people, and claiming two lives. Northern Israel was struck from Kiryat Shmona to Nahariya, with Katyushas pounding communities in the Galilee, Upper Galilee and Galilee Panhandle.
Among the cities and townships hit was the holy city ofTzfat. A 40-year-old woman was the first fatality, earlier in the day. She was killed instantly as a rocket slammed into her penthouse balcony in Nahariya as she sipped her morning coffee. Later in the day, a 33-year-old man died of critical injuries sustained during an attack while he was riding his bicycle.
International Condemnation of Israel, U.S. Supports 'Right to Self-Defense'
The United States on Thursday used its veto power to block a condemnation of Israel presented as a resolution in the United Nations Security Council, set to convene in an urgent session on Friday at the behest of Lebanon. Beirut called on the international body to oppose Israel and order an immediate halt to IDF strikes in Lebanon.
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad issued a threat against Israel as well, warning that an attack on Syria would result in Iranian involvement. Russia also quickly issued a statement condemning Israel on Thursday and called for a halt to all offensive actions in both Lebanon and Gaza.
Germany’s chancellor joined, but called as well for the immediate release of the two IDF soldiers taken hostage on Wednesday morning by Hizbullah and other European nations also condemned Israel. U.S. President George W. Bush, however, firmly stated “Israel has a right to defend herself,” adding that every country has the right to defend itself against terrorism.
Olmert Committed to Unconditional Return of IDF Captives
Prime Minister Ehud Olmert remained firm in his commitment to bring the captured soldiers home, IDF reservists Ehud Goldwasser, 31, from Nahariya and Eldad Regev, 26, from Kiryat Motzkin, both taken hostage at the northern border on Wednesday.
Olmert stated that offensive in Gaza would continue as well until Kassam rocket attacks into Israel are halted and captive IDF Corporal Gilad Shalit is released. Shalit was kidnapped during a multi-pronged Hamas terror attack on an IDF outpost at the Kerem Shalom border crossing with Gaza on June 25th.
Olmert reiterated that there will be no negotiations with terrorists, insisting that such a move would only encourage additional kidnappings in the future.
IAF aircraft also struck other Hizbullah targets, including Hizbullah headquarters in a densely populated neighborhood in south Beiru, deep in the Lebanon Valley near the Syrian border, major roadways and other strategic locations. Fighter pilots focused their efforts particularly on the Beirut airport, repeatedly bombing the facility which serves as a transfer point for weapons to the terrorists.
Israel 'Takes off the Gloves' After Haifa Attack
Following the firing of two surface-to-surface rockets into Haifa on Thursday night, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert convened the Security Cabinet to decide on Israel's response to the escalation. The Cabinet decided to ‘take off the gloves’ in the war against Hizbullah.
Israel rejected Hizbullah's denial that the organization had launched the long-range surface-to-surface missile at Haifa following the attack on the northern port city. A statement by government officials said that Israel holds Hizbullah and the government of Lebanon responsible for the ongoing anti-Israel terror from Lebanon. The statement also accused Syria and Iran of funding the campaign of terror.
Emerging from the high-level security briefing, Defense Minister Amir Peretz stated Israel would crush Hizbullah, vowing to bring the terror organization to its knees. Earlier in the day, he noted that new realities will exist, and said that Israel would no longer tolerate a Hizbullah presence along its northern border with southern Lebanon.
A Barrage of Katyushas Along the Northern Border
More than 120 122mm Katyusha rockets struck Israel on Thursday, as did some 500 mortar shells, injuring over 110 people, and claiming two lives. Northern Israel was struck from Kiryat Shmona to Nahariya, with Katyushas pounding communities in the Galilee, Upper Galilee and Galilee Panhandle.
Among the cities and townships hit was the holy city ofTzfat. A 40-year-old woman was the first fatality, earlier in the day. She was killed instantly as a rocket slammed into her penthouse balcony in Nahariya as she sipped her morning coffee. Later in the day, a 33-year-old man died of critical injuries sustained during an attack while he was riding his bicycle.
International Condemnation of Israel, U.S. Supports 'Right to Self-Defense'
The United States on Thursday used its veto power to block a condemnation of Israel presented as a resolution in the United Nations Security Council, set to convene in an urgent session on Friday at the behest of Lebanon. Beirut called on the international body to oppose Israel and order an immediate halt to IDF strikes in Lebanon.
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad issued a threat against Israel as well, warning that an attack on Syria would result in Iranian involvement. Russia also quickly issued a statement condemning Israel on Thursday and called for a halt to all offensive actions in both Lebanon and Gaza.
Germany’s chancellor joined, but called as well for the immediate release of the two IDF soldiers taken hostage on Wednesday morning by Hizbullah and other European nations also condemned Israel. U.S. President George W. Bush, however, firmly stated “Israel has a right to defend herself,” adding that every country has the right to defend itself against terrorism.
Olmert Committed to Unconditional Return of IDF Captives
Prime Minister Ehud Olmert remained firm in his commitment to bring the captured soldiers home, IDF reservists Ehud Goldwasser, 31, from Nahariya and Eldad Regev, 26, from Kiryat Motzkin, both taken hostage at the northern border on Wednesday.
Olmert stated that offensive in Gaza would continue as well until Kassam rocket attacks into Israel are halted and captive IDF Corporal Gilad Shalit is released. Shalit was kidnapped during a multi-pronged Hamas terror attack on an IDF outpost at the Kerem Shalom border crossing with Gaza on June 25th.
Olmert reiterated that there will be no negotiations with terrorists, insisting that such a move would only encourage additional kidnappings in the future.