Mideast situation/Lebanon – Letter from Lebanon

GENERAL ASSEMBLY SECURITY COUNCIL

Fifty-third session Fifty-third year

Agenda item 40

THE SITUATION IN THE MIDDLE EAST

Letter dated 22 October 1998 from the Permanent Representative of

Lebanon to the United Nations addressed to the Secretary-General

On instructions from my Government and further to our earlier letters concerning Israel's attacks on southern Lebanon and the Western Bekaa and the arbitrary practices against the civilian inhabitants in which it engages on a daily basis, I have the honour to notify you of the series of such incidents that took place in September 1998.

1 September 1998

Between 0805 and 1030 hours occupying Israeli forces and the client militia fired several 120-mm mortar shells at outlying areas of Jba`, parts of Jabal Sujud and areas along the Tasah Spring from their positions on Rum hill and at Ksarat al-Urush.

Between 1200 and 1240 hours Israeli aircraft overflew the South, the Western Bekaa and the coastal Shuf area at high altitudes.

Between 2015 and 1650 hours Israeli forces and the client militia fired several illumination flares over Anan hill from their positions on Rum hill and at Qal`at al-Shaqif (Château de Beaufort).

Between 2215 and 2300 hours Israeli forces inside the occupied strip fired 47 illumination flares over Jabal Bi'r al-Dahr.

Between 2250 and 2255 hours Israeli forces fired several 155-mm artillery shells and 120-mm mortar shells at Jabal al-Rafi`, parts of Jabal Sujud and areas along the Tasah Spring from their positions at Shurayfah and Ksarat al-Urush.

2 September 1998

Between 0900 and 1420 hours Israeli warplanes overflew the Bekaa, the North, Mount Lebanon and the South at high altitudes breaking the sound barrier.

The Bayt Yahun crossing remained closed to passage by vehicles and pedestrians in both directions.

Between 2045 and 2055 hours Israeli forces and the client militia fired several 155-mm artillery shells and 120-mm mortar shells at outlying areas of Mayfadun, Zawtar al-Gharbiyah, Zawtar al-Sharqiyah and Yuhmur from their positions at Shurayfah, Zafatah and Ksarat al-Urush.

Between 2100 and 2230 hours some 35 illumination flares fired from the occupied strip were seen over the area around the Zimriya crossing.

At 2350 hours Israeli warplanes overflew the South at high altitudes.

3 September 1998

Between 0700 and 0710 hours Israeli forces fired four 120-mm mortar shells at Mazra`at Umqata from their position at Ksarat al-Urush.

Between 1345 and 1705 hours Israeli forces and the client militia fired four 155-mm artillery shells at Haddatha from their positions at Shaqif al-Naml and Bawwabat Mays al-Jabal.

Between 1900 and 2100 hours Israeli forces and the client militia fired several 155-mm artillery shells and 120-mm mortar shells at outlying areas of Zawtar al-Sharqiyah, Zawtar al-Gharbiyah, Mazra`at Umqata, Jabal al-Rafi`, areas along the Tasah Spring and Jabal Safi from their positions at Ksarat al-Urush and Zafatah and on Razlan hill.

At 2330 hours Israeli forces and the client militia strafed the areas around their positions at Qal`at al-Shaqif (Château de Beaufort) and on Ali al-Tahir hill.

4 September 1998

At 1000 hours Israeli warplanes overflew the South at high altitudes.

At 1140 hours Israeli forces fired several 155-mm artillery shells at outlying areas of Yatar from their position at Tall Ya`qub.

Between 1530 and 1725 hours Israeli forces fired several 155-mm artillery shells and 120-mm mortar shells at Mlita hill, areas along the Tasah Spring, Jabal al-Rafi` and outlying areas of Yatar and Jibal al-Butm from their positions at Shurayfah, Tall Ya`qub and Ksarat al-Urush and on Sujud hill.

Between 2010 and 2255 hours Israeli forces and the client militia fired several 155-mm artillery shells and 120-mm mortar shells at Mazra`at Umqata, Jabal al-Rafi`, areas along the Zahrani River and outlying areas of Yatar, Majdal Zun and Jarju` from their positions at Tall Ya`qub, Ksarat al-Urush and Zafatah.

5 September 1998

At 0025 hours Israeli forces fired several 120-mm mortar shells at areas along the Tasah Spring from their position at Ksarat al-Urush.

At 0705 hours Israeli forces fired three 155-mm artillery shells at Mazra`at Umqata from their position at Shurayfah.

At 1415 hours Israeli forces and the client militia fired several 155-mm artillery shells and 120-mm mortar shells at Mlita hill from their positions at Zafatah and Ksarat al-Urush.

Between 1510 and 1540 hours Israeli warplanes overflew the South and the Western Bekaa at various altitudes.  At 1505 hours, they attacked the outskirts of Luwayzah and Mlita hill firing two air-to-surface missiles.

6 September 1998

Between 0005 and 0620 hours Israeli forces and the client militia fired several 155-mm artillery shells and 81-mm mortar shells at outlying areas of Yatar, Majdal Zun and Mansuri and at areas along the Zahrani River from their positions at Tall Ya`qub, on the Suwayda, Tahrah, Burj and Ali al-Tahir hills and at Shaqif al-Naml.

Between 0200 and 0620 hours an Israeli gunboat off Mansuri fired an illumination flare over the shore area and fired several bursts of medium-weapons fire in all directions.

Between 0620 and 1100 hours an Israeli reconnaissance aircraft overflew the Western Bekaa at high altitude.

The Bayt Yahun crossing remained closed to passage by vehicles and pedestrians in both directions.

Between 2000 and 2100 hours Israeli forces fired at areas along the Tasah Spring and Jabal al-Rafi` from their position at Ksarat al-Urush.

7 September 1998

Between 0615 and 0620 hours Israeli forces fired four 155-mm artillery shells at Wadi al-Qaysiyah from their position at Bawwabat Mays al-Jabal.

At 0710 hours Israeli forces fired three 155-mm artillery shells at outlying areas of Yatar from their position at Tall Ya`qub.

At 1405 hours Israeli forces fired four 155-mm artillery shells at outlying areas of Mazra`at al-Hamra from their position at Shurayfah.

At 1815 hours an Israeli forces and client militia patrol entered the town of Arnun and proceeded to arrest Ali Ahmad Ghazzal, age 45.

Between 2030 and 2125 hours two Israeli helicopters flew along the course of the Litani River at medium altitude.

8 September 1998

Between 0815 and 1015 hours Israeli forces fired several 120-mm mortar shells at Mazra`at Umqata and Jabal al-Rafi` from their position at Ksarat al-Urush.

The client militia's Bayt Yahun crossing remained closed to passage in both directions.

Between 1100 and 1130 hours Israeli warplanes overflew the South and the Jazzin area at various altitudes.  At 1110 hours, they attacked Mazra`at Umqata firing two air-to-surface missiles.

Between 1855 and 2210 hours Israeli forces and the client militia fired several 155-mm artillery shells and 120-mm and 81-mm mortar shells at outlying areas of Suhmur al-Shaqif, Bra`shit and Haddatha, at areas along the Tasah Spring and at Jabal al-Rafi` from their positions at Zafatah, Ruways, Shaqif al-Naml and Ksarat al-Urush.

Between 2200 and 2210 hours Israeli warplanes flew over the sea off Tyre at high altitudes.

9 September 1998

At 0040 hours Israeli forces and the client militia fired several 155-mm artillery shells and 81-mm mortar shells at outlying areas of Mayfadun from their positions at Qal`at al-Shaqif (Château de Beaufort) and Zafatah.

At 0810 hours Israeli forces fired two 120-mm mortar shells at Mlikh from their position at Ksarat al-Urush.

Between 0810 and 0845 hours an Israeli MK-type reconnaissance aircraft overflew the Nabatiyah area at high altitude.

At 1255 hours the client militia fired six 120-mm shells at Jabal Bi'r al-Dahr from its position at Ayn Qinya.

At 1615 hours the client militia fired three 81-mm mortar shells at the Mu`aytah woodland from its position on Rum hill.

Between 1700 and 1735 hours Israeli forces fired three shells at the outskirts of Zillaya from Ahmadiyah hill.

Between 2000 and 2110 hours Israeli forces fired seven 155-mm artillery shells at Wadi al-Qaysiyah from their position at Bawwabat Mays al-Jabal.

10 September 1998

Between 1220 and 1245 hours Israeli forces fired several bursts of medium-weapons fire at the abandoned Army barracks in Nabatiyah and several shells at the outskirts of Mlikh.

Between 1300 and 1350 hours Israeli warplanes overflew the North and the South at various altitudes breaking the sound barrier.

Between 1315 and 1340 hours Israeli warplanes overflew the Jabal Bi'r al-Dahr area.

Between 1415 and 1510 hours Israeli warplanes attacked Tumat Niha hill in two waves firing four air-to-surface missiles.

At 1600 hours the Lahad militia's Dahr al-Mashnaqah – Sfariyah crossing was closed to passage in both directions.

11 September 1998

With effect from 0700 hours the client militia at the Mashnaqah crossing prevented residents from entering or leaving the Jazzin area.

Between 0820 and 1120 hours Israeli forces and the client militia fired several 155-mm artillery shells at Jabal al-Rafi` from their positions at Zafatah and on Rum, Anan and Dabshah hills.

Between 1215 and 1300 hours an Israeli reconnaissance aircraft overflew the upper Shuf area and Tumat Niha at high altitude.

Between 1700 and 1835 hours Israeli forces and the client militia fired several 155-mm artillery shells and 81-mm mortar shells at the Mu`aytah woodland and Wadi Shammas from their positions at Dahr al-Mashnaqah and on Dabshah, Tahrah and Rum hills.

12 September 1998

Between 0200 and 0530 hours an Israeli gunboat off the coast between the Qulaylah plain and Bayadah fired several bursts of medium-weapons fire in all directions.

Between 0800 and 0930 hours Israeli forces fired several 155-mm artillery shells and 120-mm mortar shells at Jabal al-Rafi` and the outskirts of Sujud from their positions at Ksarat al-Urush and Shurayfah.

At 1145 hours Israeli forces and the client militia fired several 155-mm artillery shells and 120-mm and 81-mm mortar shells at outlying areas of Qabrikha, Tulin and Wadi al-Qaysiyah from their positions at Tallusah, Qantarah and Bawwabat Mays al-Jabal.

At 1530 hours the client militia fired several bursts of medium-weapons fire at Wadi Bisri from its position on Anan hill.

Between 1700 and 2135 hours Israeli forces and the client militia fired several 120-mm and 81-mm mortar shells at Jabal Sujud, Mlikh and Kafr Tinbit from their positions at Ksarat al-Urush and on Dabshah, Suwayda, Burj, Tahrah and Anan hills.

13 September 1998

Between 0400 and 0430 hours an Israeli gunboat off Mansuri fired several bursts of medium-weapons fire in all directions.

At 1035 hours Israeli forces fired several 120-mm mortar shells at Jabal al-Rafi` from their position at Ksarat al-Urush.

Between 1510 and 1625 hours Israeli warplanes overflew the Bekaa and the South at various altitudes.

Between 1925 and 1955 hours Israeli forces fired 15 155-mm artillery shells towards Iqlim al-Tuffah from their positions at Abu Qamhah and on Shurayfah hill.

At 1945 hours Israeli forces fired 15 illumination flares over Jabal Bi'r al-Dahr from their positions in the occupied strip.

At 2000 hours Israeli forces fired several illumination flares over Hasbayya from their positions in the occupied strip.

14 September 1998

Between 0200 and 0700 hours Israeli forces fired several 120-mm mortar shells at Sujud and Mlikh from their positions at Ksarat al-Urush and on Ahmadiyah hill.

Between 0955 and 1035 hours Israeli forces fired several 155-mm artillery shells at outlying areas of Izziyah, Mansuri and Majdal Zun and at Wadi al-Qaysiyah from their positions at Bawwabat Mays al-Jabal and Tall Ya`qub.

Between 1200 and 1230 hours Israeli warplanes overflew the South, the Bekaa, the North and Mount Lebanon at high altitudes breaking the sound barrier.

At 1325 hours Israeli forces fired several 155-mm artillery shells at outlying areas of Qabrikha from their position at Bawwabat Mays al-Jabal.

For unknown reasons, the client militia prevented people from Hula, Balda, Aytrun and Mays al-Jabal from leaving for the liberated areas.

15 September 1998

Between 0400 and 0600 hours an Israeli gunboat off Mansuri fired several bursts of medium-weapons fire in all directions.

At 0715 hours Israeli forces fired three 120-mm mortar shells at the outskirts of Sujud from their position at Ksarat al-Urush.

Between 1515 and 2015 hours Israeli warplanes overflew the Bekaa, the South and the coastal Shuf area at various altitudes.

Between 1900 and 2030 hours Israeli aircraft overflew the South at high altitudes.

Between 2000 and 2145 hours Israeli forces and the client militia fired several 155-mm artillery shells and 120-mm mortar shells from their positions at Zafatah and Ksarat al-Urush.

16 September 1998

At 0330 hours Israeli forces fired a tank shell from their position in Ayshiyah at a foot patrol consisting of seven members of Norwegian contingent of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon in the town of Balat.  One of them was wounded.

At 0705 hours Israeli forces fired four 120-mm mortar shells at parts of Sujud hill from their position at Ksarat al-Urush.

Between 1620 and 1720 hours Israeli warplanes overflew the South, the Western Bekaa, Rashayya and the Shuf at various altitudes.

Between 2050 and 2055 hours Israeli forces fired four 120-mm mortar shells at outlying areas of Mimis from their position at Abu Qamhah.

Between 2040 and 2255 hours Israeli forces and the client militia fired several 120-mm mortar shells at Jabal Safi, Mlita hill and outlying areas of Arabsalim from their positions on the Razlan hills, at Ksarat al-Urush and on Suwayda hill.

17 September 1998

Between 0800 and 1250 hours Israeli forces and the client militia fired several 155-mm artillery shells at areas along the Zahrani and Litani rivers and at the Mu`aytah woodland from their positions at Zafatah, Ksarat al-Urush, Suwayda hill and Dahr al-Mashnaqah.

Between 1500 and 1700 hours Israeli warplanes overflew the South, the Shuf and the Western Bekaa at various altitudes.

Between 1645 and 1725 hours Israeli forces fired 38 155-mm shells at areas along the Litani River from their position at Abu Qamhah.

At 1710 hours an Israeli gunboat off Rashidiyah fired several bursts of medium-weapons fire in all directions.

Between 2125 and 2200 hours the client militia fired several 120-mm mortar shells at Wadi Bisri from its positions on Razlan, Anan and Rum hills.

At 2130 hours an Israeli helicopter overflew Mlikh and fired several bursts of medium-weapons fire at the town.

18 September 1998

Between 0110 and 0730 hours Israeli forces and the client militia fired several 155-mm artillery shells and 120-mm mortar shells at Jabal al-Rafi`, Mazra`at Umqata and Mlita hill from their positions at Zafatah and Ksarat al-Urush and on Dabshah hill.

Between 0700 and 0800 hours an Israeli reconnaissance aircraft overflew the Iqlim al-Tuffah area at high altitude.

The client militia's Bayt Yahun crossing remained closed to passage in both directions.

Between 1615 and 1900 hours Israeli forces fired several 155-mm artillery shells and 120-mm mortar shells at Jabal al-Rafi`, areas along the Tasah Spring, Mlita hill, the outskirts of Sujud and outlying areas of Qa`qa`iyat al-Jisr and Yuhmur from their positions at Ksarat al-Urush and on Shurayfah hill.

Between 2010 and 2250 hours an Israeli reconnaissance aircraft overflew the Nabatiyah area at high altitude.

19 September 1998

At 0705 hours Israeli forces fired six 120-mm mortar shells at Jabal Sujud from their position at Ksarat al-Urush.

At 0800 hours Israeli forces fired five 155-mm artillery shells towards Iqlim al-Tuffah from their position on Shurayfah hill.

At 1340 hours Israeli forces fired two 120-mm mortar shells at the outskirts of Sujud from their position at Ksarat al-Urush.

At 2020 hours Israeli forces fired four 155-mm shells at areas along the Litani River opposite Zillaya from their position at Abu Qamhah.

At 2240 hours the client militia directed several bursts of medium-weapons fire at Wadi Bisri from its position on Anan hill.

20 September 1998

Between 0800 and 1000 hours an Israeli reconnaissance aircraft overflew the South at high altitude.

At 0805 hours Israeli forces fired four 120-mm mortar shells at areas along the Tasah Spring and parts of Jabal Sujud from their position at Ksarat al-Urush.

Between 0910 and 1200 hours Israeli warplanes overflew the South and the coastal Shuf area at various altitudes.

At 1830 hours the client militia fired three 81-mm mortar shells and directed several bursts of medium-weapons fire at Wadi Bisri from its positions on Anan and Rum hills.

Between 1900 and 2245 hours Israeli forces and the client militia fired several 155-mm artillery shells and several 120-mm and 81-mm mortar shells and directed several bursts of medium-weapons fire at Jabal al-Rafi`, Mazra`at Umqata, Wadi Bisri, Tumat Niha and the Mu`aytah woodland from their positions at Zafatah, Ksarat al-Urush, Bayadah and the Hamra crossing and on the Rum and Anan hills.

Between 2100 and 2240 hours two Israeli helicopters flew over the sea off the Zahrani and Sarafand coast.

21 September 1998

Between 0120 and 0600 hours Israeli forces and the client militia fired several 81-mm mortar shells and directed several bursts of medium-weapons fire at the area around Qasr Ghandur in Nabatiyah al-Fawqa from their positions on Dabshah, Tahrah and Suwayda hills and at Qal`at al-Shaqif (Château de Beaufort).

Between 0130 and 0530 hours Israeli forces and the client militia fired several 81-mm mortar shells at areas around their positions on Dabshah and Burj hills.

Between 0520 and 0540 hours two Israeli helicopters flew along the course of the Litani River.

Between 1400 and 1415 hours Israeli forces fired 12 155-mm artillery shells at areas along the Litani River from their positions in the Jaramin vicinity.

Between 2050 and 2115 hours Israeli forces fired several 120-mm mortar shells at Mazra`at Umqata and Mlikh from their position at Ksarat al-Urush.

Between 1835 and 2225 hours Israeli forces and the client militia fired several 155-mm artillery shells and 120-mm mortar shells at areas along the Tasah Spring, Jabal al-Rafi`, the outskirts of Sujud and outlying areas of Arabsalim, Yuhmur and Yatar from their positions at Zafatah, Rayhan, Ksarat al-Urush, Shurayfah and Tall Ya`qub.

Between 2030 and 2045 hours Israeli forces fired 15 155-mm shells at the Jabbur pool and surrounding areas from their position at Rayhan.

At 2215 hours the Lahad militia strafed the area around its position at Qusayr with medium-weapons fire.

Between 2300 and 0330 hours an Israeli reconnaissance aircraft overflew the Nabatiyah and Tibnin areas at high altitude.

At 0240 hours Israeli forces fired several 120-mm mortar shells at Jabal al-Rafi` from their position at Ksarat al-Urush.

22 September 1998

At 0745 hours Israeli forces fired four 155-mm artillery shells at outlying areas of Mayfadun from their position at Shurayfah.

Between 1120 and 1230 hours an Israeli reconnaissance aircraft overflew the Nabatiyah area at high altitude and two Israeli helicopters overflew Qal`at al-Shaqif (Château de Beaufort).

At 1745 hours Israeli forces fired four 155-mm artillery shells at outlying areas of Mansuri and Majdal Zun from their position at Tall Ya`qub.

At 1835 hours Israeli forces fired four 155-mm artillery shells at outlying areas of Zibqin from their position at Tall Ya`qub.

23 September 1998

The Bayt Yahun crossing remained closed to passage by vehicles and pedestrians in both directions.

Between 0530 and 0600 hours an Israeli gunboat off Mansuri fired several bursts of medium-weapons fire in all directions.

Between 1030 and 1215 hours Israeli warplanes overflew the coastal Shuf area and the South at high altitudes.

Between 1115 and 1215 hours Israeli forces fired 25 155-mm artillery shells at Qilya and Dallafah from their position at Abu Qamhah.

Between 1710 and 1725 hours Israeli forces and the client militia fired several 155-mm artillery shells and 81-mm mortar shells at outlying areas of Yatar, Majdal Zun and Rshaf from their positions at Tall Ya`qub and Rshaf.

At 2000 hours the client militia fired four 155-mm artillery shells at outlying areas of Yuhmur from its position at Zafatah.

24 September 1998

Between 0040 and 0245 hours Israeli forces and the client militia fired one 120-mm mortar shell and several intermittent bursts of medium-weapons fire at areas around their positions at Ksarat al-Urush and on Burj hill.

For unknown reasons, the Lahad militia prevented males under 50 years of age from Kafr Killa, Tayyibah, Udaysah and Rabb Thalathin from crossing into the liberated areas by way of the Kafr Tibnit crossing.

At intervals between 0745 and 1230 hours Israeli warplanes overflew the South at high altitudes.

At 1250 hours Israeli forces fired four 155-mm artillery shells at Wadi al-Qaysiyah from their position at Bawwabat Mays al-Jabal.

Between 1550 and 1650 hours Israeli warplanes overflew the South at various altitudes and were met by ground-based anti-aircraft fire from units belonging to the Lebanese Army.

Between 1840 and 1930 hours Israeli forces and the client militia fired several 155-mm artillery shells and 120-mm mortar shells at Jabal al-Rafi`, areas along the Tasah Spring and the outskirts of Sujud from their positions at Ksarat al-Urush and Zafatah.

25 September 1998

At 0430 hours an Israeli gunboat off Mansuri fired several bursts of medium-weapons fire in all directions.

At 0810 hours Israeli forces fired three 155-mm artillery shells at outlying areas of Yatar from their position at Tall Ya`qub.

At intervals between 0940 and 1200 hours Israeli warplanes overflew the Western Bekaa and the South at high altitudes and were met by ground-based anti-aircraft fire from units belonging to the Lebanese Army.

Between 1300 and 1320 hours Israeli forces and the Lahad militia fired several 155-mm artillery shells and 120-mm mortar shells at Arabsalim and outlying areas nearby and at areas along the Zahrani River.  A 10-year-old child, Hasan Fayyad Harb (mother's name Layla), was hit in the back by a piece of shrapnel and was taken to Hammud Hospital in Sidon.  The homes of Ahmad Hammadi, Ali Muhammad Harb, Mahmud Ali al-Hajj, Ali Dib Hasan, Hasan Mahmud Hasan, Husayn Ahmad Wahbi and Amin Nadr were also hit, as was the vehicle of Mahmud Ali Musa.  The electricity distribution grid in Arabsalim was also damaged.

Between 2010 and 2035 hours the Lahad militia fired several bursts of medium-weapons fire at areas around its position on Zaghlah hill.

Between 2310 and 2340 hours two Israeli helicopters overflew the Burj and Ali al-Tahir hills and Qal`at al-Shaqif (Château de Beaufort) before returning to the occupied strip.

26 September 1998

At 0000 hours the Lahad militia fired five 120-mm shells at areas along the Litani River to the south of Zillaya from its position on Ahmadiyah hill.

Between 0710 and 0800 hours Israeli forces and the Lahad militia fired several 155-mm artillery shells and 120-mm mortar shells and directed several bursts of medium-weapons fire at Jabal al-Rafi` and areas around their positions at Zafatah and Ksarat al-Urush.

Between 1455 and 1720 hours Israeli forces and the Lahad militia fired several 155-mm artillery shells and 81-mm and 120-mm mortar shells and directed several bursts of medium-weapons fire at the outskirts of Jarju` and Mlikh, at Mlita hill, Jabal al-Rafi`, the area around Sujud and Bayt Yahun hills and at outlying areas of Tulin from their positions at Mays al-Jabal, Bayt Yahun, Ksarat al-Urush, Zafatah, Jabal Shams, Urqub (west of Ayshiyah) and on Sujud hill.

At 1600 hours the Lahad militia fired two 81-mm mortar shells at Mlita hill from Sujud hill.

At 1815 hours Israeli forces fired several 155-mm artillery shells at outlying areas of Yatar from their position at Tall Ya`qub.

At 1800 hours the Lahad militia proceeded to block the Bisri – Ta`id road and the Bisri – Dayr al-Mukhlis road (Bisri River bridge) with earth barriers, while the Bisri – Mazra`at al-Mathanah – Anan road remained open for use by the people of Bisri.

Between 1920 and 1950 hours Israeli forces strafed the area around their position at Markaba with medium-weapons fire.

27 September 1998

At intervals between 0030 and 0410 hours the Lahad militia strafed the area around its positions on Hardan and Suwayda hills with medium-weapons fire and fired several illumination flares over the surrounding area.

Between 0515 and 0530 hours an Israeli gunboat off Mansuri fired several bursts of medium-weapons fire in all directions.

Between 0710 and 0730 hours an Israeli reconnaissance aircraft overflew the Nabatiyah area at high altitude.

At 0945 hours the Lahad militia strafed the areas around its position on Ali al-Tahir hill with medium-weapons fire.

Between 1105 and 1130 hours Israeli warplanes overflew the South and the coastal Shuf area at high altitudes.

At intervals between 1300 and 1800 hours Israeli warplanes overflew the South, the Western Bekaa and the coastal Shuf area at high altitudes and were met by ground-based anti-aircraft fire from units belonging to the Lebanese Army.

Between 1730 and 2030 hours the Lahad militia and Israeli forces strafed the area around their positions at Qal`at al-Shaqif (Château de Beaufort), the Hamra crossing and Hardhun hill with medium-weapons fire.

Between 2010 and 2210 hours Israeli forces and the Lahad militia fired four 155-mm artillery shells and 120-mm mortar shells at outlying areas of Kafra and Yatar and the area around Sujud hill from their positions at Tall Ya`qub and Ksarat al-Urush and on Razlan hill.

At 2145 hours the Lahad militia fired several bursts of 12.7-mm rounds at areas around its position on Anan hill from its position on Rum hill.

Between 2145 and 2230 hours two Lahad militia troop carriers strafed areas along the Bisri River (from the Ku` al-Mashnaqah area) and outlying areas of Kafr Falus (from the town of Rum) with medium-weapons fire.

28 September 1998

Between 0135 and 0545 hours an Israeli reconnaissance aircraft overflew the Nabatiyah area at high altitude.  At the same time, Israeli forces fired several 81-mm mortar shells and directed bursts of medium-weapons fire at areas around their positions at Qal`at al-Shaqif (Château de Beaufort) and Dabshah hill.

At 0445 hours an Israeli gunboat off Mansuri fired several bursts of medium-weapons fire in all directions.  Another Israeli gunboat was also seen some 3 kilometres off Sarafand directing its searchlights towards the shore.

Between 0730 and 0830 hours Israeli warplanes overflew the South, the Western Bekaa, the Shuf and Alayh and were met by ground-based anti-aircraft fire from units belonging to the Lebanese Army.

Between 0800 and 0830 hours an Israeli reconnaissance aircraft overflew the area to the east of Sidon and Iqlim al-Tuffah at high altitude.

At 0830 hours Israeli forces strafed the area around their positions at Qal`at al-Shaqif (Château de Beaufort) and on Dabshah hill with medium-weapons fire.

At intervals between 0900 and 1000 hours Israeli forces and the Lahad militia strafed the areas around their positions on Dabshah, Ali al-Tahir and Rum hills and at the Mu`aytah woodland (north-east of Kafr Falus) with medium-weapons fire.

Between 1000 and 1135 hours an Israeli reconnaissance aircraft overflew the Nabatiyah, Iqlim al-Tuffah and Sidon East areas at high altitude.

Between 1135 and 1200 hours Israeli warplanes overflew the South at high altitudes.  At 1200 hours they overflew the South, the Western Bekaa and Mount Lebanon at the same altitude breaking the sound barrier.  The Lahad militia also strafed the area around its position on Ali al-Tahir hill with medium-weapons fire.

At intervals between 1250 and 1620 hours Israeli warplanes overflew the South and the Western Bekaa at high altitudes.

At 1500 hours the Lahad militia strafed the area around its position at the Zimriya crossing with light-weapons fire.

At 1710 hours Israeli forces fired several 155-mm artillery shells at outlying areas of Yatar, Kafra and Zibqin from their position at Tall Ya`qub.

At 1715 hours Israeli forces fired several 120-mm mortar shells at Jabal Sujud and Jabal al-Rafi` from their position at Ayshiyah and strafed the areas around their positions at Qal`at al-Shaqif (Château de Beaufort) and on Dabshah hill with medium-weapons fire.

Between 1815 and 2220 hours the Lahad militia fired two 155-mm artillery shells, two tank shells and several 81-mm mortar shells and directed several bursts of medium-weapons fire at areas around Anan hill, the Hadidi enterprise and the Mu`aytah woodland from its positions at Dahr al-Ramlah and on Rum and Anan hills.

At 1925 hours the Lahad militia strafed areas around its position at the Zimriya crossing with medium-weapons fire.

Between 2235 and 2300 hours Israeli forces fired several 120-mm mortar shells at Jabal al-Rafi` from their positions at Ksarat al-Urush and Bi'r Kilab.

Between 2340 and 2355 hours the Lahad militia fired several 155-mm shells at areas along the Zahrani River from its position at Zafatah.

29 September 1998

At intervals between 0130 and 0530 hours Israeli forces and the Lahad militia fired several 81-mm mortar shells and directed several bursts of medium-weapons fire at areas around their positions on Dabshah and Ali al-Tahir hills.

Between 0415 and 0530 hours an Israeli gunboat off Mansuri fired several bursts of medium-weapons fire in all directions.

At intervals between 0800 and 1700 hours an Israeli reconnaissance aircraft overflew the South at high altitude.

At 1735 hours Israeli warplanes overflew the Alayh area at high altitude and were fired on by ground-based anti-aircraft units.

At 1745 hours an Israeli gunboat off Mansuri fired several bursts of medium-weapons fire in all directions.

At 1845 hours the Lahad militia fired three 81-mm mortar shells and directed several bursts of medium-weapons fire at the Hariri enterprise and at the area around its own position on Rum hill.

At 1930 hours Israeli forces fired five 120-mm mortar shells at areas along the Tasah Spring from their position at Bi'r Kilab.

At 2140 hours the Lahad militia fired four 81-mm mortar shells at Ruwaysat al-Ksar (west of Sfariyah) from its positions on Anan hill.

30 September 1998

At intervals between 0200 and 0515 hours Israeli forces and the Lahad militia in positions on Dabshah and Suwayda hills fired several 81-mm mortar shells and directed several bursts of medium-weapons fire at Qasr Ghandur, the abandoned Army barracks in Nabatiyah and areas around their positions on the two hills.

At 0430 hours an Israeli gunboat off Mansuri fired several bursts of medium-weapons fire in all directions.

Between 1000 and 1200 hours Israeli forces and the Lahad militia fired directly at Jabal al-Rafi` and the area around Sujud hill from their positions at Ksarat al-Urush and Ayshiyah and on Razlan hill.

At 1200 hours Israeli forces fired 17 155-mm artillery shells towards Iqlim al-Tuffah from their position at Bi'r Qamhah.  Lahad militia elements also fired three 120-mm shells at areas along the Litani River from their position on Ahmadiyah hill.

Between 1420 and 1425 hours Israeli forces fired six 155-mm artillery shells at outlying areas of Haddatha from their position at Bawwabat Mays al-Jabal.

Between 1705 and 1740 hours Israeli forces and the Lahad militia fired four 120-mm mortar shells and nine 155-mm artillery shells at outlying areas of Majdal Zun, Mansuri and Tulin from their positions at Bawwabat Mays al-Jabal, Tall Ya`qub and Yarin.

At 1830 hours the Lahad militia strafed the area around its position at Qantarah with medium-weapons fire.

At 2005 and at 2010 hours Israeli forces fired five 155-mm artillery shells at outlying areas of Jumayjimah and Wadi al-Qaysiyah to the west of Majdal Silm from their position at Bawwabat Mays al-Jabal.

At 2050 hours an Israeli gunboat off Mansuri fired several bursts of medium-weapons fire in all directions.

The Lebanese Government strongly condemns the continued Israeli occupation and the fresh attacks and arbitrary practices against the Lebanese civilian population that have left a number of wounded and caused further serious damage to property.

Like previous attacks, this new series is in flagrant violation of the sovereignty and independence of Lebanon and constitutes a breach of the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations, of international law and of basic human rights.

I should be grateful if you would have this letter circulated as a document of the General Assembly, under agenda item 40, and of the Security Council.

(Signed)  Samir MOUBARAK     

Ambassador       

Permanent Representative

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