Israelis seize Christian towns in south Lebanon

[Judi Lynn]

Israelis seize Christian towns in south Lebanon
Aug 10, 2006 — By Karamallah Daher

MARJAYOUN, Lebanon (Reuters) - Israeli troops seized the Christian towns of Marjayoun and Qlaiah in south Lebanon on Thursday, witnesses said, even though Israel says it has put off plans for a broader offensive against Hizbollah guerrillas.

A Reuters journalist said Israeli troops were moving on foot through Marjayoun, about 8 km (5) miles inside Lebanon. He said the Israelis were also inside Qlaiah and the village of Burj al-Molouk, with tanks deployed on roads nearby.

Fierce fighting erupted in the area and two tanks could be seen on fire just outside Marjayoun.

"I can see two tanks burning some 500 meters from Marjayoun," a resident told Reuters by telephone.
(snip/...)

http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory?id=2294928

[saigon68]

1. Maybe Jimmy Swaggert was there?

[evox]

2. hmm

two tanks burning? surely cant be hezbollah's... as u know, they have no tanks... sounds like idf are in trouble.

[Scurrilous]

3. Massive battles in Marjayoun

As part of operation which already began Tuesday, Israeli forces reach Christian town, taking up position on strategic hill overlooking Litani River valley, from where Hizbullah fires rockets at Israel. Exchanges of fire erupt Thursday morning between soldiers, Hizbullah members; clashes also on western region

http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3289057,00.ht...

<snip>

"Exchanges of fire erupted Thursday morning on the eastern region between Israel Defense Forces soldiers and Hizbullah members in the area of the Marjayoun and the village of al-Khiam, north of Metula.

Battles are also taking place near the village of Aytaroun on the western region. The soldiers encountered light weapon fire and anti-tank fire."

<snip>

"An official source in Marjayoun told the al-Jazeera network that exchanges of fire took place in the area and bombardments were heard before the forces entered the town.

"Massive exchanges of fire were heard in Marjayoun from 3:30 a.m., and many bombardments took place at the entrance to the town. A petrol station burned and one house was also bombed," said Fouad al-Hamra, one of the town's senior officials."

[regnaD kciN]

4. Because, of course, Christians...

...are going to be the biggest supporters of a Shi'ite Musilm militia.

[bunyip]

5. Don't be surprised.

Christians and Sunnis have served in Hizb Allah's militia, and even as suicide bombers.

http://www.columbia.edu/~lnp3/mydocs/culture/SuicideBom...

One of Hizb Allah's earliest suicide attacks against the IDF was carried out by a female Christian school teacher, a Socialist by conviction and a resistance fighter by necessity.