DIARY OF RESISTANCE OPERATIONS –FEBRUARY 1999

The following are the Islamic-Resistance operations that took place during the month of February in 1999...

Islamic Resistance Performs 150 Operations in February 1999

This February, the resistance squadrons performed 26 operations more than in January, increasing, therefore, their military operations against the enemy and Lahd agents to 200. The Islamic Resistance performed 150, the Amal Movement 35, and the Lebanese Brigades for Resisting the "Israeli" Occupation 14.
The Islamic-Resistance operations killed 7 Zionist soldiers and wounded 10 others, the enemy acknowledged, adding another soldier was wounded "by mistake" inside the occupied region.

The Resistance sources said 3 Lahd militiamen were killed besides the casualties acknowledged by the enemy.

On the other hand, 4 Islamic-Resistance fighters were martyred.
As a matter of fact, the Islamic Resistance's military performance was outstanding, especially when penetrating the enemy's security and military measures. The Resistance as well brought about severe losses to the enemy, the most significant of which was the execution of Chief of "the Liaison Unit" Erez Gerstein, who was with his driver, a senior officer of "the Liaison Unit", and others on Marjeeyoun-Hasbaya Route. Gerstein was the first major Zionist officer the Resistance killed in Lebanon after 1982.

Resistance Blasts Zionist Squad by Borders, February 1, 1999

On February 1, 1999, the Islamic Resistance performed a unique, daring operation deep in the occupied region; the fighters penetrated the enemy's military and security measures sand techniques. The fighters blasted a Zionist squad, 100 meters away from the Lebanese borders with occupied Palestine, near the sites of ad-Dawaweer and al-Abbad. The Zionist infantrymen suffered several casualties.

Lebanese Brigades Perform Operation Series, February 7, 1999

On February 7, 1999, a group of the Lebanese Brigades for Resisting the "Israeli" Occupation struck Haddatha Site with their machineguns and rocket shells. The garrison and fortifications of the site suffered serious losses.
Soon afterwards, a group of the Lebanese-Brigades Artillery opened shelled the same site; whereas another group razed Baraachit Site.
For its part, the Lebanese-Brigades Fire Backup Unit razed the sites of as-Suweidaa and ad-Dabsheh.

Resistance Fighters Break Into Sojod Site, February 8, 1999

On February 8, 1999, the Islamic Resistance again ridiculed the enemy's safety measures and developed watch means. This time, the Resistance carried out a unique, multi-sided attack, including breaking into Sojod Site:
A group of the Islamic-Resistance Special Forces attacked Sojod Site. Having clashed fiercely with the site garrison, the fighters broke into the site and killed 3 Lahd militiamen there. In the meantime, another group demolished the northern and eastern mounds of the site and wounded 2 other Lahd militiamen.
A third group, too, attacked Bir Kallab Site, bringing about serious losses. A fourth group attacked a Zionist force on ar-Rihan Hills, preventing it from backing up the sites targeted.

Furthermore, a fifth group opened fire on a Zionist backup force supposed to back up Sojod Site. Suffering serious loss, the force could not accomplish its mission. The Resistance group also blasted an enemy force near al-Aychieh while the force was heading to the confrontation zone. An M-113 halftrack was demolished and set afire, and another vehicle was damaged. Now more enemy soldiers suffered casualties.

The enemy acknowledged 5 Lahd agents were injured, and 2 vehicles were damaged.

Resistance Breaks Into Jezzine Barracks, February 21, 1999

Marking "the Islamic-Resistance Week", "the Brigades of the Islamic-Resistance Martyrs' Master Sayyed Abbass Moussawi" performed an operation against Jezzine Barracks on February 21, 1999. The fighters broke into the headquarters of "Battalion 20" in the five-building Jezzine Barracks. Wounding or killing each of the soldiers there, the fighters completely dominated the place and posted the Islamic-Resistance standards onto its fortifications.
Having implanted explosive bombs, the fighters withdrew from the place and blasted the mounds. The fighters also demolished the following vehicles: a half-armored vehicle, 2 halftracks, a Reo truck, a Land Toyota, and a Dodge Pickup.

The enemy claimed only a Lahd militiaman was wounded and a vehicle was damaged.

Concurrently with this attack, other Islamic-Resistance groups attacked Zionist-Lahd troops marshaled at the neighboring sites: Baater, Kroom el-Arz, Ain Taghra, and Ain Majdaline. The fighters' machineguns and rocket shells brought about more serious casualties to the "Israeli" enemy and agents.

Resistance Fighters Confront Enemy by al-Jabbour Pond, February 23, 1998

On February 23, 1999, the Islamic Resistance achieved a new victory at the frontline of West Beqaa. The Resistance reiterated that only the fighters owned the initiative no matter how hard the enemy tried to regain it. This time the fighters struck an elite "Israeli" force.

A group of "the Islamic-Resistance Special Forces" lay in ambush while a commando force of "the Paratroopers Brigade" was sneaking towards the liberated regions. As the commando force reached the ambush spot on Maydoun-al-Jabbour Hills in West Beqaa, the fighters attacked it. The fighters, who were positioned only a few meters away from the commandoes, machine-gunned them and launched their hand grenades against them.

Violent clashes lasted for 3 hours, during which each of 15 enemy soldiers suffered death or injury. Terribly confused and scared, the enemy force could not withdraw from the clash zone; the fighters held perfect control over the place.
Though "Israeli" helicopters appeared, they could neither break the siege nor evacuate the casualties. That is, the Islamic-Resistance Fire Backup Unit bombarded the withdrawal lines and the points where the Zionist helicopters were supposed to land down. Hereupon, more troops, helicopters, and vehicles reached in the operation zone. But the fighters kept fighting bravely and brought about serious casualties to the enemy. They gained ordnance the Zionist soldiers left behind, too.

In a press conference, the fighters showed the spoils. The fighter in charge of the attack declared that a single bullet killed the commander of the Zionist force. Then he showed the commander's M 18 recoilless rifle including night binoculars; a wireless telecommunication device; a military bulletproof vest covered with blood and pierced by several bullets; a woolen mask; and machinegun magazines. The fighter then pointed out the comb of the machinegun was still full; the "Israeli" commander could not shoot any bullet.

The enemy acknowledged defeat in the operation, the wounding of 5 soldiers, and the death of 3 officers: force commander, Major Ethan Pelhesan (30 years old), Lieutenant Lezar Artito, and Lieutenant David Grant.
For their part, the Lahd-Militia sources declared fierce crossfire lasted for an hour and a half. The clash killed the major in charge of the Surveillance Unit of "the Paratroopers Brigade", an engineering officer, and a third.

In the meantime, "Israeli" backup forces appeared, and other clashes lasted for an hour and a half. An officer and six soldiers were wounded; one of whom was in a critical condition. They were transported to "Ram Bam Hospital" in Haifa.
Chief of "the Northern Command" Gabi Ashkenazi held a press conference, saying, "Three Hizbullah fighters formed the cell setting the ambush." Trying to make the operation sound as unimportant, Ashkenazi claimed the cell hadn't planned for the ambush but had rather been on a regular surveillance mission. Ashkenazi, however, acknowledged Hizbullah did surprise his forces, saying that the rough region and fierce combat resulted in the casualties aforementioned.
The barrage of land anti-aircraft artillery made it too difficult for the helicopters appearing in the operation zone to evacuate the casualties, the Zionist channel acknowledged.

The "Israeli" Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu seemed shocked as he acknowledged that Hizbullah had strongly hit "Israel". While visiting the wounded soldiers at hospitals, Netanyahu declared, "Sometimes it is hard luck and sometimes it is difficult. This is one of these times... In this kind of war on Lebanon, we can't always plan perfectly. Our soldiers' martial spirit will eventually enable us to make our arrangements and leave Lebanon safely, responsibly, and proudly..."

Unique Operation Markaba (Operation Hadi Sayyed Hassan), February 24, 1999

On February 24, 1999, the Islamic Resistance had a new battle against the occupation forces deep in the occupied region. A group of fighters attacked a Zionist-Lahd patrol in the outskirts of Markaba. Using their machineguns and hand grenades, the fighters violently clashed with the enemy and agents. An hour of confrontations resulted in the death or injury of each of the counter force.
As reinforcements appeared in the operation zone, other Islamic-Resistance group attacked them. Also as the garrison of Mash'aroun Site tried to back up the targeted forces, a third group of fighters attacked it, foiling its mission.

During the confrontations, the Islamic-Resistance Operation Chamber lost contact with fighter Hadi Sayyed Hassan (named so in veneration to the martyred son of Hizbullah Secretary General Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, Sayyed Hadi Nasrallah).
Very soon, the enemy's channel displayed a video tape: Helicopters in the sky of Markaba were chasing fighter Hadi Sayyed Hassan. A guided missile appeared exploding where the fighter was hiding, and he was martyred, claimed the channel.

Forty-eight hours later, the fighter safely returned to the liberated territory. He had camouflaged so well, escaping the enemy's direct watch and technical means.

Resistance Executes Occupation-Forces Chief in Lebanon Erez Gerstein, February 28, 1999

On February 28, 1999, the Islamic Resistance made its greatest hit since 1982. The fighters blasted the motorcade of senior Zionist officers at al-Hermas Point on Marjeeyoun-Hasbaya Route. Though the vehicles of the motorcade were armored, the heavy explosive bomb caused them serious damage and killed or wounded each of the officers.

As an armored Jeep approached the operation zone, another group of fighters blasted a second explosive bomb, hitting the Jeep and bringing about casualties to the Zionists on it.
Several hours later, the enemy acknowledged the death of the Chief of "the Liaison Unit" in Lebanon General Erez Gerstein (38 years old); his driver, First Sergeant Imad Abu ar-Reesh (34 years old); a sergeant in charge of "the Liaison Unit's" telecommunications, Oomer Eucalyptus 920 years old); and the enemy channel's correspondent Eelan Rou'eh (32 years old). Three others were wounded, the enemy also acknowledged.

The explosion of a remote-control explosive bomb killed those four, who were on a motorcade of 4 armored Mercedes vehicles, declared a spokesman of the occupation military.

"The explosion was so strong that it killed all four together," said the correspondent of the Zionist channel, adding, "The rescue units arriving in the operation zone had to retreat over and over again as they got shelled in concurrence with the explosions. Hizbullah cells began machine-gunning the rescue units and the forces escorting them. Hizbullah cells' barrage was very fierce."

"A day earlier, the "Israeli" forces used the route where the explosive bomb was bombed. Since no explosive was bombed the day earlier, it is obvious the explosives were implanted very freshly," the military correspondent of the Zionist channel added.

"Some senior "Israeli" officers were on the third vehicle of the motorcade. Among them were Deputy Chief of "the Liaison Unit" Colonel Shaul Kemisa and Head of "the Civil Administration" Colonel Rafik Saeed, but they were not harmed," claimed the Zionist channel.
Eye witnesses said the Jeep in which Gerstein was in turned over to the side of the road when the explosive was bombed. Three minutes later, the Jeep exploded, and its four passengers burned. Then some helicopters covered a bulldozer which hauled the Jeep and restructured the road.

Interrupting his visit his visit to Oman, Jordan, the "Israeli" Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu returned to occupied Palestine. Netanyahu, along with the War Minister Moshe Arens and Chief of Staff of the "Israeli" military Shaul Mofaz, held a press conference.
"It's a harsh war our military has been involved in day and night for a long time. Unfortunately, this war on Lebanon is costly; from time to time we have to pay a price...," Mofaz declared.

For his part, Netanyahu said, ""Israel" has absolutely paid much, which is quite painful... For twenty years we've been paying so much in Lebanon..."
Whereas Mofaz declared war on Hizbullah had begun, Netanyahu stated, "We're not seeking an escalation in Lebanon, but we're not going to accept the current situation or Hizbullah's coups..."

On the other hand, Hizbullah Secretary General His Eminence Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah issued a statement, praising the Resistance fighters: "This new victory is definitely going to be a turning point for the Resistance's movement. It is indeed a great step forward with respect to the peoples of the Middle East, particularly the Lebanese and the Palestinian ones.

Now that this Zionist general has been executed, the claimed "Israeli" legend collapses. Now we have more trust in Allah, self-confidence, power of jihad, and ability to free our land and reshape the future into one with glory and dignity. So this new victory is the victory of us all. I kiss the hands of each of the victory makers, and I ask Allah to kep us victory and esteem."
Furthermore, Hizbullah issued a statement: "The Islamic Resistance confirms its fighters are constantly ready to monitor the enemy's movement and to act perfectly... The fighters shall sustain their jihad ... Amid this great achievement, which belongs to all Lebanon, the Resistance calls for more unity among the Lebanese people, also for comprehensive support for the Islamic Resistance's cause. As ever, the Resistance's national plan is to free our land from the horrible occupation and confront the Zionist plots."

Holding special ceremonies, Hizbullah Secretary General His Eminence Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah honored the Special-Force fighters blasting the headquarters of "Jezzine Barracks'" "Battalion 20", the fighters confronting the Zionist commandoes unit in West Beqaa, and the fighters executing Chief of "the Liaison Unit" General Erez Gerstein.

Paying tribute to the fighters' jihad and sacrifices, His Eminence offered each of them a copy of the Holy Qur'an and "Imam Hussein's (Pbuh) Trophy". Sayyed Nasrallah said he, as well as the Ummah, sang the praises of the perseverant, determined fighters keeping their pledge as to freeing their homeland.
General Gerstein held charge of "the Liaison Unit" in March 1998. Serving "the Golani Brigade" through his entire time, he was in charge of the military and civil affairs of the occupied region. In a year, he was the target of three operations, and he was wounded in "Operation ar-Rihan".

Gerstein was the second general executed in Lebanon after 1982. That year, the fighters confronting the enemy in Khalde killed General Jekotael Adam. Three other generals, too, were targeted by such operations:

-General Isaac Mordechai; "Operation Houla" (1991)
-General Emanon Shahak; "Operation Braachit", (1998)
-General Eely Ametai; "Operation Braachit" (1998); also wounded in "Operation al-Aychieh" (1998)

Four Islamic-Resistance Fighters Martyred in February 1999

Hassan Mohyi Eddine Hamzah, Ehab Haidar Medlej, and Rabie' Ibrahim Marzouk:
Martyred on February 24, 1999 while confronting enemy forces in at-Taybeh.
Adnan Muhammad Hassan: martyred on February 28, 1999 while fulfilling his jihad against enemy forces.

Source: moqawama.org