By Sharon Sadeh, Ha'aretz Correspondent
Israel has been carrying out secret tests of a new cruise missile in Lebanon, killing a Lebanese man in the process, according to a report in yesterday's Times of London. The paper says the tests have been going on since February. The report claims that Israel is testing a new, low-flying "mini-cruise" missile that has the ability to avoid topographical obstacles such as hills and even trees.
Rumors of a new and secret anti-tank missile have been floating around Lebanon for a year, but until now there has been scant evidence of it. Security experts, United Nations forces and the Lebanese army are all eager to know more about the missile.
Finnish soldiers serving in the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) and Lebanese civilians have reported that they saw the missile in action.
On July 6, a soldier in a Norwegian unit was shocked by the sight of one of these missiles whizzing over his head before exploding on a nearby hill. The Israel Defense Forces admitted that the missile had gotten out of control but instructed the Norweigians not to approach the remains of the weapon. An IDF force was rapidly dispatched to recover the important parts of the exploded missile, leaving only fragments of twisted metal that were later collected by the UNIFIL soldiers.
According to The Times, the missile is being developed and manufactured by Rafael, the Israeli armaments authority, and was first used in a combat situation in February when one missile was launched at a private car about 8 kilometers from an IDF position in south Lebanon.
On May 19 two missiles were launched at Amal militiamen from the same position, the paper said. One of the missiles exploded without hitting anything, while the second one hit three Amal soldiers while the Finnish UNIFIL troops looked on.
Twelve days later, two brothers were hit by a missile said to have been launched from a helicopter. One died, while the other suffered serious burns on his back.
The Times reported that the Lebanese army gave the missile fragments to the Syrians for tests.
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