Israel: February 8, 2000

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Israeli warplanes hit three Lebanese power stations. Israel does not normally hit civilian targets because of a 1996 agreement with Hezbollah to not attack civilian targets. But the death of five Israeli soldiers in south Lebanon this year, and Hezbollah attacks in civilian areas has enflamed Israeli public opinion, resulting in attacks on Lebanese power stations. Such attacks in the past have not had any impact on Hezbollah behavior. After such attacks, the Hezbollah usually launch rockets into northern Israel. Later in the day, Israel and the Hezbollah threatened to escalate their war in south Lebanon and northern Israel still further. This is complicated by the fact that Israel and Syria are trying to negotiate a peace treaty, and if that treaty comes about, Syria will have to shut down Hezbollah operations in Lebanon.