Hezbollah Continues Rocket Attacks

Ha'aretz is reporting that more than 50 rockets have struck Israel on Monday. IDF has intercepted and driven off an attempt by Hezbollah to infiltrate through the Northern border. They have also destroyed at least one long-range, Iranian-made missile capable of hitting Tel Aviv.

Hezbollah fired more than 50 rockets at Israel on Monday, including a barrage which landed after 10 P.M. in the northern towns of Safed, Rosh Pina, Tzivon, Sakhnin, Hatzur Haglilit and Peki'in.

Five people were wounded in the rocket barrage, four when a rocket hit a public building in Safed and another in a separate incident in the region. Another rocket landed next to a medical institution in the Galilee.

IDF troops on Monday night opened fire at a group of Hezbollah militants who approached the border, thwarting an attempt to infiltrate Israel.

An unknown number of militants were wounded in the exchange of fire, IDF officials said.

Meanwhile, an Israel Air Force air strike in Lebanon on Monday destroyed at least one long-range Iranian-made missile capable of hitting Tel Aviv, IDF officials said.

The officials said an IAF aircraft targeted a Hezbollah truck carrying the weapons before they could be launched. The force of the blast sent at least one missile flying into the air, but it fell nearby. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity under military regulations.

Officials said the destroyed missile was an Iranian-made "Zilzal," which has a range of about 200 kilometers.

Lebanese TV stations broadcast video pictures of the downed missile which they initially reported was an IAF aircraft falling to the ground.

During nearly a week of fighting, Hezbollah militants have fired missiles up to 40 kilometers into Israel. But officials have raised concerns the guerrilla group could strike Tel Aviv, roughly 120 kilometers south of the border with Lebanon.

Once again, the Hezbollah rocket barrages are targeted strictly at civilian cities and towns, not at military targets.

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1. One Hand Clapping » Blog Archive » The “Tel Aviv rocket” — Monday, 17 July , 2006 @ 7:43 pm