Israel to end flights over Lebanon, U.N. says

By Brent Sadler
CNN Correspondent

BEIRUT, Lebanon (CNN) -- Israeli Defense Minister Binyamin Ben-Eliezer has given the United Nations assurances that overflights across Lebanon will be immediately suspended, the United Nations said Friday. The announcement comes as Hezbollah guerrillas fired anti-tank missiles in the disputed Shebaa Farms area.

Announcing the decision, U.N. Special Representative Staffan De Mistura said it was a "definite Israeli commitment" to stop further violations by Israeli aircraft of the U.N.'s so-called "blue line" drawn last year after Israel withdrew its troops from south Lebanon.

The United Nations said it is the first time Israel's military authorities have given such an assurances to stop overflights.

The Israeli decision follows weeks of mounting pressure on Israel by the international community. Ever since Israel withdrew its troops last year from south Lebanon, Israel has flown missions over Lebanon creating sonic booms in most major cities.

Meanwhile, Hezbollah guerrillas, in calls to reporters in Beirut, claimed responsibility for the attack in the Shebaa Farms area that injured an Israeli soldier.

In Jerusalem, the Israel Defense Forces said its forces had been fired on and the Israeli air force retaliated, attacking Hezbollah targets identified as the source of the mortars and missiles.

The IDF originally said two soldiers were wounded but later said only one was hurt. The IDF said it returned fire.

Israel currently occupies Shebaa Farms and the Golan Heights, which it captured from Syria during the 1967 Arab-Israeli war.