Israeli warplanes attack Hezbollah positions in Lebanon
Israeli warplanes have attacked suspected Hezbollah guerrilla bases in southern Lebanon after the guerrillas fired rockets and mortar shells at Israeli positions in the disputed Chebaa Farms area.
Witnesses said the Israelis used air-to-surface missiles and artillery shells against the Hezbollah fighters in a valley near the village of Halta.
It was the first Israeli air raid on Lebanon since July 1st, when Israel attacked Syrian army positions in eastern Lebanon in retaliation for a Hezbollah attack near Chebaa Farms.
Hezbollah, a Lebanese guerrilla outfit that has been fighting Israel since its invasion of Lebanon, considers Chebaa Farms to be Lebanese territory and has vowed to liberate it from Israel.
This position is supported by the Lebanese and Syrian Governments.
However, the United Nations, which drew a border line after Israel withdrew from south Lebanon in May 2000, considers Chebaa Farms to be part of Syrian territory occupied by Israel during the 1967 Mid-East War.
