Israeli air strikes hit south Lebanese capital

Beirut, Aug 4: Israeli warplanes bombed Hizbollah strongholds in the southern suburbs of the Lebanese capital Beirut today.

The Israeli army said it had targeted offices of Hizbollah, the house of a senior Hizbollah official and a building used by the Palestinian group Hamas.

At least six blasts sounded across the capital. As dawn broke, a column of thick smoke rose from the area of the bombardment in the Ouzai district of south Beirut.

An Israeli warplane dropped leaflets on the Hizbollah-controlled suburbs yesterday, warning residents to flee because Israel planned to widen its offensive in the area.

Air strikes have levelled parts of the southern suburbs, most of whose residents have fled since the war between Hizbollah and Israel erupted on July 12.

Hizbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah yesterday threatened to hit Tel Aviv if Israel struck central Beirut.

Reuters

Related Stories
Hizbollah offers Israel end to rocket attacks
Around 80 Hizbollah dead in war with Israel
Israeli forces kill 4 Palestinians in Gaza