Israel cuts off Lebanon
2006-07-13 09:10
Jerusalem - Israel has imposed a general air, sea and land blockade on Lebanon as part of its assault launched to retrieve two soldiers snatched by Hezbollah guerrillas, army radio reported.
The army said it had fired missiles at Beirut's international airport to prevent the transfer of weapons and supplies to the Hezbollah militia, which abducted two soldiers and killed eight in attacks on Wednesday.
"The reason for the attack is that the airport is used as a central hub for the transfer of weapons and supplies to the Hezbollah terror organisation," a spokesperson said.
Craters in the runways
Israeli war planes forced Beirut's international airport to close after dawn missile strikes left four craters in the runways.
Inbound flights were diverted to Larnaca airport on the neighbouring Mediterranean island of Cyprus, an airport official said.
The bombing of the airport, recently named after former premier Rafiq Hariri who was assassinated in February 2005, came after a series of Israeli bombardments on Hezbollah targets and bridges.
Police said 27 Lebanese civilians, including 10 children, were killed in attacks early on Thursday on southern Lebanon.