Israeli jets entered Lebanon's airspace today and broke the sound barrier over Beirut in the fifth consecutive day of sorties over the country, witnesses said.
They said the Israeli jets flew over southern Lebanese areas facing Shebaa Farms, the focal point of Hizbollah attacks. Their sonic boom was heard over Beirut.
The increased air activity follows an attack last week by Syrian-backed Hizbollah guerrillas on Israeli troops occupying the disputed Shebaa Farms border area. Israel retaliated by attacking a Syrian military position deep in Lebanon on Sunday.
At least one Israeli soldier, one Lebanese and two Syrian troops were wounded in the latest cycle of violence.
The United Nations has condemned Israeli flights over Lebanon, saying they violated Security Council decisions. The UN envoy to south Lebanon said last week he received a pledge from Israel to stop flying over Lebanese cities.
Israel has regularly violated Lebanese airspace since pulling out of southern Lebanon last year after a 22-year occupation, largely due to pressure from Hizbollah fighters.
The UN has ruled that the Israeli pullout from Lebanon is complete and does not endorse claims by Beirut and Damascus that Shebaa Farms is Lebanese.