Israel Air Force planes bombed Palestinian terrorist bases over a wide area of Lebanon today in what was officially described as “counter-attacks” in retaliation for “bloody attacks and murderous acts” by terrorists. As of 3 p.m. local time, “these attacks are still in progress,” a military spokesman said. No Israeli casualties were reported.
The air raids marked the end of the precaribus cease-fire along the Lebanese border which took effect last July. Israel, in a statement, justified them on grounds that “Terrorist organizations whose centers, headquarters and bases are in Lebanon, have recently carried out against Israeli citizens bloody attacks and murderous acts in Israel and abroad in Europe. These reached a climax this morning when terrorist mines killed an Israel army officer.”
The officer was killed and another soldier was wounded when their vehicle hit an anti-tank mine in southern Lebanon. Their names were not immediately released.
According to today’s announcement, the Israeli bombers hit terrorist targets south of Beirut, and northeast of Sidon which had served as operational bases for terrorist attacks and sabotage operations against Israel. “These bases contained such material as 130 mm. artillery pieces, 120 mm. mortars, anti-aircraft guns, jeep-mounted recoilless rifles and vehicles of various sorts used by terrorists,” the official announcement said.
Beirut radio broadcasts reported widespread air attacks on refugee camps in Beirut, the port of Damour and elsewhere in southern Lebanon and on radar installations and other Palestinian targets along the coast. The Beirut radio said the Palestine Liberation Organization ordered its forces to with-draw from many positions because of the intensity of the air attacks. Israel denied Beirut reports that its naval vessels participated in the attacks. Mean-while, Israel ordered an alert in settlements along the Lebanese border for possible terrorist rocket attacks in retaliation for the air raids.
Chief of Staff Gen. Rafael Eitan told a press conference here late today that two Syrian MIG-23 aircraft were shot down when they tried to intervene against the Israeli attackers. He said the targets of today’s raids had been carefully selected to ensure that few if any civilian buildings were in their vicinity. He said the targets included installations of El Fatah, of the Lebanese Arab Army and Ahmed Jibril’s terrorist organization, the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine–General Command. He said some light anti-aircraft fire was encountered.
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