Israeli warplanes break sound barrier over Lebanon
Israeli warplanes overflew the main Lebanese cities of Beirut and Tripoli Wednesday, breaking the sound barrier amid reports of a troop buildup on the border, Lebanese police said.
Fighter-bombers also buzzed the frontier districts of Shebaa and Marjayoun following cross-border exchanges which left an Israeli soldier and a Lebanese child dead Monday, AFP correspondents witnessed.
It appears as if the IDF has sent troops to the northern Israeli border, which could mean several things. Either a re-establishment of the security zone that Ariel Sharon set up during the 1980’s, or simply a matter of boosting troops strenghts in preparations for potential scenarios. It could mean virtually nothing, but the violation of Lebanese airspace is one more affront that cannot be ignored.
Of course, it could also be a method of dealing with two birds with one stone. As the Syrians have deep interest in the politics of Lebanon, going after Assad without dealing with the Hezbollah in Lebanon is only a half-measure. A sonic boom over Beruit is a low-cost method of putting both countries on notice.