Israel pursues Lebanon bombing

Israel has carried out fresh air strikes in southern Lebanon after urging residents of around 10 villages to leave. Earlier, Israeli forces crossed part of the border in what an army spokesman described as “limited operations,” insisting that there are no plans for a major invasion at this point. There was no let-up in the bombardment on day 11 of the campaign, which Israel started after Hizbollah captured two of its soldiers and killed a further eight.

At least 349 people have now died in Lebanon, most of them civilians. Over 30 Israeli lives have been lost. In a revelation set to anger Arab governments, the New York Times has reported that the Bush administration is speeding up the delivery of precision-guided bombs to Israel, as it pursues its offensive.

The southern Lebanese town of Nabatiya was among the targets on Saturday. One person was reported killed and five others wounded in attacks that reduced streets to rubble. Thousands of people have fled north fearing an Israeli invasion and an extension of the bombing. Lebanese volunteers are doing what they can to distribute aid to those who have stayed behind.

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