Five killed as Israeli airstrikes hit Lebanon

Israel pounded Hezbollah’s southern Beirut strongholds with missiles early today and, in a sharp expansion of its bombing of Lebanon, blasted highway bridges for the first time in the Christian heartland north of the capital during morning rush hour.

Four civilians were killed and 10 wounded in the airstrikes on bridges north of Beirut early today, the Lebanese Red Cross said.

A Lebanese soldier was killed and two other soldiers were wounded along with four civilians in air raids near Beirut airport and the southern suburbs of the capital overnight, security officials and witnesses said.

South Beirut has been attacked repeatedly by Israeli warplanes since fighting began on July 12. It is predominantly Shiite Muslim and largely controlled by Hezbollah guerrillas.

But surprisingly, Israeli warplanes struck in the Christian areas north of Beirut where Hezbollah has no support and has no presence.

However, it may be part of Israel’s attempt to pressure the Lebanese government to accept its conditions for ending the fighting by cutting off Lebanese regions.

Christian areas have largely been spared attacks.