Cautious calm amid sporadic fire on 18th day of Lebanon assault

In Tyre, reports indicate that the towns of Mejdal and Zebqeen came under heavy mortar bombardment at 9:45 am local time with frequent Israeli warplanes across the sky.
The towns of Deir Aames and Qana on the main highway were heavily raided and cut off from the rest of the area.
Meanwhile in Al-Nabatiyah, warplanes hit Ein Bu Beswar-Jarjou' Highway and cut it off and other aircraft dropped notices calling for immediate evacuation northward over Eastern and Western Zouter.
There were a series of raids as well between Ansar and Al-Zrariyah and on the Litani River in Al-Nabatiyah as well as mortar bombardment on Al-Kheiam valley and Al-Hamra farm this morning.
Later,Israeli warplanes raided a house between in town Nomyriah killig a familly,the mother and her five children.
Security sources said an Israeli warplane targeted a Jeep in Gallerie Samaan area at 7:15 this morning saying the driver miraculously escaped injury.
While there were no raids reported on the southern suburbs of Beirut over the past two days, reconnaissance aircraft were never absent throughout the night yesterday till this morning.
The Israeli airforce also hit Eitet, Deir Aames, Mahrouna, Mashraf farm, Al-Aasi River, and cafes and tourist attractions and facilities in Hermel, northern Lebanon.
The bombardment left destruction in tourist facilities as well as homes in these areas and most of the fish resources was destroyed in nearby marinas.

There were no reports of injuries or fatalities.
The Lebanese, and the whole region, are anxiously awaiting the results of the diplomatic efforts locally, regionally, and worldwide, particularly after US President George W. Bush declared a mission to work on ceasefire by Secretary Condoleezza Rice.
The UN Security Council session due Monday is also anxiously awaited in this regard.