Israeli jets strike again

Press, 29 April 1981, Page 8

Israeli jets strike again

NZPA-Reuter Beirut Israeli planes yesterday launched their second heavy air strike in two days on South Lebanon, as Syrian forces and their allies were reported to have advanced against Rightist Christian militia in the central highlands. A Palestinian source said the air attacks could be aimed at reinforcing an Israeli message to the: Syrians not to step up their fighting against the Christians, who are backed by Israel. ;

Eye-witnesses said the planes bombed and strafed Palestinian refugee camps and other targets in ■ and around the coastal towns of Sidon, Tyre, and Damour, and the inland town of Nabatiyah. The State-run Beirut Radio said first reports put the number of killed and wounded at 25. The strikes the day before on the outskirts of Sidon killed 18 1 people and wounded 39, hospital sources said.

Fighting in ' the central highlands between Rightist militiamen and Syrian troops of the Arab Deterrent Force . in Lebanon, backed by' the Leftist Lebanese Nationalist Social Party, went into a third day. A Leftist commander in the area told reporters that his side had swept the forces of the Christians off Mount Sannin, the highest peak in the region. But the Christians said they were still holding their positions.