Rocket from Lebanon falls short, injures Lebanese woman

From Naharnet/AFP:

A woman was injured after a rocket fired in southern Lebanon landed in a Lebanese village near the border with Israel, the National News Agency reported on Monday.

The Katyusha rocket, fired from al-Qaysiya valley in Majdal Selem, landed in the village of Houla near the border with Israel.

The rocket wounded Nasira Ali Abbas, 55, as the rocket hit her house, according to NNA.

The woman was transferred to Mais al-Jabal Hospital.

Voice of Lebanon radio (93.3) reported on Monday that the Lebanese army informed UNIFIL about the incident and launched an investigation.

Meanwhile, Israeli troops were on very high alert along the southern border with the Lebanese town, according to the radio station.

It appears that Hezbollah was at least indirectly responsible for the rocket attack two weeks ago, as the initial claim of responsibility by an Al Qaeda-linked group was denied by that same group.

Speaking of...

The security unrest witnessed in Lebanon in recent weeks, most notably Friday’s attack against the French unit in the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon, requires diligent governmental work that would prevent future instability, reported the daily An Nahar on Monday.

Security sources told the daily that the attack will likely increase tensions between France and Syria in light of French Foreign Minister Alain Juppe’s accusation on Sunday that Syria was “undoubtedly” behind the assault.

He added however that he had no evidence to substantiate his claim.

Asked during an interview with TV5MONDE, Radio France Internationale and Le Monde whether he believed the attack was a “message” from Syria, he replied: “There’s no doubt.”

"We have strong reasons to think that this attack came from there," he said, noting that Damascus used Hizbullah for such attacks in the past.

Furthermore, informed sources said that Juppe’s accusation was not only political, but it stemmed from initial international investigations that point to Syria’s involvement in the UNIFIL attack.

A security official meanwhile revealed to Agence France Presse that investigations are focusing on two suspects who were spotted in a Mercedes near the area of the explosion about an hour before it took place.

He said that the bomb was loaded with four to five kilograms of TNT, adding that it was remotely detonated before the UNIFIL vehicle arrived to the exact location of the explosive, which resulted in damage to only its front section.

The official confirmed An Nahar’s report on Sunday that estimated that the bomb was detonated by mistake, which consequently saved the lives of the French soldiers.

When people accuse Syria of doing something in Lebanon, they mean Hezbollah.

A couple of weeks ago Iran said explicitly that if it was attacked, they would strike Israel using Hezbollah rockets. No worries about UNIFIL or the Lebanese Armed Forces stopping them.

Hezbollah has turned Lebanon into a vassal state for Iran and Syria.