BEIRUT, Lebanon - Israeli warplanes flew over the Lebanese capital Beirut on Friday, a day after an attack by a Palestinian gunman killed eight Jewish seminary students in Jerusalem, raising tensions in the volatile region.Two Israeli warplanes violated Lebanese airspace and flew over Beirut briefly before leaving the area,Â’ a senior Lebanese security official said. Speaking on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to give official statements, he said the planes flew at a medium altitude.Â’
Israeli warplanes frequently fly over south Lebanon in what Israel says are reconnaissance missions. The overflights drew ground fire from Lebanese troops on at least two occasions since an Aug. 14, cease-fire ended a monthlong war between Israel and Hezbollah guerrillas. They have occasionally flown over Beirut as well.
Three Israeli reconnaissance planes violated Lebanese airspace in southern Lebanon Thursday, the Lebanese army said in a statement Friday.
The latest Israeli overflights come amid tensions over ThursdayÂ’s attack in Jerusalem at the rabbinical seminary. HezbollahÂ’s Al Manar satellite TV station said a previously unknown group called the Martyrs of Imad Mughniyeh and Gaza was responsible for the attack _ a claim that could not immediately be verified.