Hizbullah mobilized thousands of fighters in southern Lebanon on Friday in response to week-long Israeli military exercises due to kick off on Sunday, an official from the Shiite group said.
"The Hizbullah fighters have (been instructed) to be completely ready to confront Israeli maneuvers on Sunday," Nabil Qaouq told Agence France Presse.
"Thousands of our fighters will not go to the polls (for municipal elections on Sunday) and will be prepared from today" for any eventuality, he added.
"In the event of any new attack on Lebanon, the Israelis will not find anywhere in Palestine to hide," he said.
Israel estimates that Hizbullah has since the 2006 war stockpiled more than 40,000 rockets, some of which could reach major Israeli population centers.
And last month, Israeli President Shimon Peres accused Syria of providing Scud missiles to Hizbullah, charges that Damascus has denied.
Dubbed "Turning Point 4," the defense exercises are designed to prepare emergency responses to rocket strikes on Israel, with sirens due to ring out across the country on Wednesday and Israelis head for shelters.
Israel's Deputy Defense Minister Matan Vilnai emphasized last week that the exercises had been planned long in advance, and had no bearing on the Jewish state's present relations with its northern neighbors.
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"The Hizbullah fighters have (been instructed) to be completely ready to confront Israeli maneuvers on Sunday," Nabil Qaouq told Agence France Presse.
"Thousands of our fighters will not go to the polls (for municipal elections on Sunday) and will be prepared from today" for any eventuality, he added.
"In the event of any new attack on Lebanon, the Israelis will not find anywhere in Palestine to hide," he said.
Israel estimates that Hizbullah has since the 2006 war stockpiled more than 40,000 rockets, some of which could reach major Israeli population centers.
And last month, Israeli President Shimon Peres accused Syria of providing Scud missiles to Hizbullah, charges that Damascus has denied.
Dubbed "Turning Point 4," the defense exercises are designed to prepare emergency responses to rocket strikes on Israel, with sirens due to ring out across the country on Wednesday and Israelis head for shelters.
Israel's Deputy Defense Minister Matan Vilnai emphasized last week that the exercises had been planned long in advance, and had no bearing on the Jewish state's present relations with its northern neighbors.
naharnet
