Region | Lebanon
Hezbollah declares 'open war'
Hezbollah's chief vows all-out war against Israel on Friday, hinting of attacks deep in the Jewish state shortly after he survived an air raid that destroyed his home.
- Agencies
- Published: 00:00 July 14, 2006
Beirut: Hezbollah's chief vowed all-out war against Israel on Friday, hinting of attacks deep inside the Jewish state shortly after he survived an air raid that destroyed his home.
Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, in a dramatic phone call to Hezbollah's TV station, said an Israeli navy vessel was burning off Beirut and would sink.
"You wanted open war. We are going to open war," he said.
"You have chosen an all-out war with a nation which ... has the capability, the experience and the courage."
Israel has intensified its attacks on Lebanon, with overnight air raids on Hezbollah strongholds as well as attacks on power stations and roads.
Three civilians were killed and more than 50 injured in the strikes, which have led to calls for Israel to show some restraint.
Israeli jets also hit the Jiyyeh power plant south of Beirut and bombed the main Beirut to Damascus highway, worsening the isolation felt by the Lebanese people after the airport was closed and ports blockaded on Thursday.
Reports from Lebanese police also say that Israel has attacked a base used by the pro-Syrian Palestinian Front for the Liberation of Palestine group.
The militant group has its headquarters is in the east of the country, just 2km from the Lebanese/Syrian border.
Israel began its offensive - which has killed more than 50 Lebanese civilians - on Wednesday after the Shiite group Hezbollah captured two Israeli soldiers in a cross border raid.
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