AP: Israeli strikes continue despite deal

Developing: "The Israeli air force carried out strikes Monday in southern Lebanon despite an agreement to halt raids for 48 hours after nearly 60 Lebanese civilians were killed in an Israeli bombing, the army said."

According to the English-language website of Israeli daily Haaretz, the strikes are "in support of ground troops operating near the south Lebanese village of Taibeh.... The air strikes are meant to protect ground forces operating in the area, and are not targeting anyone or anything specific, the IDF said." Read the full story.

Where does the strike line lie? "A senior government source said Monday morning that despite a 48-hour halt in Israel Air Force activity in Lebanon, 'there is no cease-fire,'" the current lead on the Haaretz site says. "The government source said that the IAF had been told to continue acting against 'targets that present a threat to Israel and its troops, including rocket launchers, vehicles transporting ammunition, Hezbollah fighters, weapons stores and Hezbollah assets.'" BBC News reports a similar position.

Israeli air force hits Lebanon despite agreement to halt raids for 48 hours
Updated 7/31/2006 9:22 AM ET

JERUSALEM (AP) — Israeli warplanes carried out airstrikes in southern Lebanon on Monday, hours after agreeing to temporarily halt raids while investigating a bombing that killed nearly 60 Lebanese civilians, mostly women and children seeking shelter.

Prime Minister Ehud Olmert agreed to a 48-hour halt in the airstrikes beginning at 2 a.m. Monday while the military concludes its inquiry into the attack on the south Lebanese village of Qana.

But Israel left open the option it might hit targets to stop imminent attacks or if the military completed its inquiry within 48 hours.