Israeli warplanes were fired upon today by Hizbollah as they flew deep into Lebanese airspace. Two Israeli jets broke the sound barrier and flew far as Lebanon's northern border.
The United Nations views both the overflights and retaliatory Hizbollah fire as violations of the terms of Israel's pullout.
Witnesses said two jets made loud sonic booms as far north as Akkar, near Lebanon's northern border. The planes also flew over Beirut and broke the sound barrier over Nabatiyeh in south Lebanon and the Bekaa Valley town of Baalbek.
"The anti-aircraft guns of the resistance fired at the planes," the army source said. No planes were reported hit.
A spokesman for United Nations peacekeepers said it was the first time Israeli jets had broken the sound barrier over Lebanon since a prisoner swap last month between Israel and Hizbollah freed hundreds of Arab prisoners for a kidnapped Israeli businessman and the bodies of three soldiers.
Israel has flown regular sorties over Lebanon since it withdrew its troops from the south of the country in 2000 under pressure from attacks by Hizbollah, ending a 22-year occupation.
Hizbollah hastened the end of a 22-year Israeli occupation of southern Lebanon in 2000 and backs the Palestinian revolt in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.
Last month, Israel released 429 security prisoners and repatriated the bodies of 59 Lebanese guerrillas in return for an Israeli businessman held by Hizbollah and the remains of three Israeli soldiers ambushed while on border patrol.