Israeli warplanes struck deep in Lebanon early Monday, targeting a northeastern region that is a symbol of Hizbullah power, while guerrillas fought with Israeli forces near the border, witnesses and the group said. At least four explosions were heard around the city of Baalbek in the northern part of the eastern Bekaa Valley, witnesses said. There was no immediate word on casualties. Warplanes struck roads about 20 kilometers (13 miles) south of Baalbek, and in the Rashaya region further south on the corridor linking the southern part of the country with the Bekaa Valley, the witnesses said. Hizbullah has many bases in the Baalbek region, about 100 kilometers (63 miles) north of Israel's border. Israeli commandos on Wednesday landed troops in the Baalbek area and fought guerrillas, apprehended several people before withdrawing. Sixteen Lebanese were killed in that raid.
In the south, several kilometers (miles) inside Lebanon, Hizbullah ambushed an advancing Israeli army unit near the village of Houla early Monday and heavy fighting ensued, the guerrillas' TV station said. In addition to repeated air raids since fighting erupted July 12, Israel has sent thousands of troops into southern Lebanon to try to stop Hizbullah rocket attacks, which on Sunday killed 12 Israeli soldiers and three civilians in the deadliest such strikes.
Israeli airstrikes on Sunday battered homes and roads across southern and eastern Lebanon, killing at least 14 people and leaving others believed buried under rubble. Hizbullah reported three of its fighters also killed. Israeli jets also fired at least six missiles into the Lebanese capital's southern suburbs Sunday afternoon, security officials said.