IDF Press Conference - ha-Qirya, Tel Aviv

I'm listening to a press conference being given by the Chiefs of Staff of the different branches of the IDF right now. It's being broadcast live on Israel Army radio (Galey Tsahal) from Israeli Defence Headquarters in Tel Aviv. Here are some noteworthy remarks:

• The missile that hit an Israeli Frigate 16 km off the coast of Lebanon was struck by an Iranian-made radar guided missile (C-802). Two such missiles were fired. One hit the Israeli frigate, inflicting heavy damage and resulting in the death of one soldier and three missing. Another missile hit a Cambodian ship and sank it. Its Egyptian crew was rescued by a passing boat. An Israeli navy representative noted that the IDF did not anticipate that Hizbullah would use the missile in the naval theater. They said that it was a surprise that the Iranians had granted Hizbullah use of advanced weaponry of this sort. It was also stated that the Lebanese Army allowed Hizbullah use of its radar facilities to fire the missile and that Lebanese Army radar facilities have been hit as a result.


• Israel has no intention to invade Lebanon using ground forces


• The IDF intends to refrain from striking at Lebanese Army forces unless they become involved in the fighting. Only Hizbullah-linked targets are being attacked.


• The patriot missile batteries that have been positioned in the Haifa area are not intended for use against Hizbullah fire. They are intended as a defensive measure against a potential Syrian attack.

Asked about the IDF's targeting of a bus carrying 18 Lebanese civilians, a senior officer from the Air Force expressed regret for any civilian deaths.