REPORT: Sources to LBCI: Israeli airstrike hits Hezbollah target

Sources told LBCI on Tuesday that the airstrike carried out by Israel on Monday hit a Hezbollah "moving target" which had been used in Al-Qalamoun battles opposing the Syrian army and Hezbollah to the Syrian opposition.                     

This as Israel's prime minister refused to confirm whether his country carried out an airstrike along the Syrian-Lebanon border, but said he would do everything possible to protect the security of Israeli citizens.                

Benjamin Netanyahu delivered his vague answer hours after Lebanon's state news agency reported that Israeli aircraft carried out two airstrikes late Monday. While Israel's military refused to comment, Israel has carried out similar airstrikes in the past on suspected weapons shipments believed to be bound from Syria to Hezbollah guerrillas in Lebanon.              

At a news conference with the visiting German chancellor, Angela Merkel, he said Israel's policy is not to discuss what others claim it did.                 
"We do all that is needed to protect the security of Israeli citizens," he said.             

Israel and Hezbollah fought a monthlong war in 2006 that ended in a stalemate. Israeli officials believe Hezbollah has restocked its arsenal with tens of thousands of rockets and missiles, some of which are capable of striking virtually anywhere in the Jewish state.                  

Although Israel has refrained from taking sides in the Syrian civil war, Netanyahu has repeatedly vowed to take action to prevent Hezbollah from obtaining "game changing" weapons from its ally Syria. Past Israeli airstrikes are believed to have targeted Russian-made anti-aircraft missiles and guided missiles from Iran. Israel has never confirmed the airstrikes.                 

Lebanon's National News Agency said the air raids took place near Nabi Sheet, a remote village in Lebanon's eastern Bekaa Valley. The agency did not say what was targeted in the attack.

The porous border is frequently used by fighters and smugglers to move people and weapons between Lebanon and Syria. Hezbollah has a strong presence in the area. Arab media reports said Hezbollah had suffered casualties, though neither the group nor the Lebanese military confirmed an airstrike had actually taken place.               


LBCI/AP      


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