IDF forces in north Photo: Reuters
Udi Adam Photo: Channel 2
8 soldiers killed in north (VIDEO) Hizbullah terrorists infiltrate Israel territory, kidnap two IDF soldiers; three reserve soldiers killed during raid, four others killed as their tank drives over bomb during search for abducted troops; eighth soldier killed trying to retrieve comrades’ bodies. Northern Command chief: We assume two abducted soldiers are alive; there are blood stains at the scene. Hizbullah says soldiers in ‘safe place’ Hanan Greenberg Latest Update: 07.12.06, 22:43 VIDEO - Eight IDF soldiers were killed in fighting with Hizbullah Wednesday along the northern border and inside Lebanese territory. Three were killed when Hizbullah operatives attacked their patrol, and four more were killed when their tank drove up on a roadside bomb as they pursued the Hizbullah operatives, who also kidnapped two soldiers. Three of the soldiers killed in the Hizbullah attack were identified as 22-year-old Staff Sergeant Eyal Banin from Beer Sheva, 24-year-old Sergeant First Class Shani Turgeman of Beit Shean and 27-year-old Wassam Nazal from the town of Jat-Yanuch. Nineteen-year old Nimrod Cohen of Mitzpeh Shalem was killed during efforts to retrieve the bodies of the tank crew members. The cabinet has convened for a special session due to the escalations in the north, following Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's consultations with security officials. Fighting in Lebanon (Video: Reuters)
IDF Chief of Staff Dan Halutz advised the government to authorize a harsh operation that would "change the rules of the game." IDF Chief of Staff Dan Halutz advised the government to authorize a harsh operation that would "change the rules of the game." Prior to the special cabinet session, Defense Minister Amir Peretz authorized a series of operations against Hizbullah strongholds in southern Lebanon. Prior to the special cabinet session, Defense Minister Amir Peretz authorized a series of operations against Hizbullah strongholds in southern Lebanon. Head of the IDF Northern Command Major-General Udi Adam explained during a press conference the events on the northern border: "This morning an IDF patrol was attacked in the area between Shtulah and Zarit. The patrol consisted of two armored Hummer vehicles, and three soldiers were killed. Four other soldiers were killed in the chase." Head of the IDF Northern Command Major-General Udi Adam explained during a press conference the events on the northern border: "This morning an IDF patrol was attacked in the area between Shtulah and Zarit. The patrol consisted of two armored Hummer vehicles, and three soldiers were killed. Four other soldiers were killed in the chase." "Since the beginning of the attack the IDF has been retaliating intensively and is preparing to protect Israeli civilians and prevent the terror from Lebanon,” added Adam. "We assume that the two abducted soldiers are alive. There are blood stains at the scene, and this is indicative of their condition."
Adam continued: “We are in close contact with the residents if northern Israel; we have instructed residents in some areas to enter bomb shelters. We hold the Lebanese government responsible for everything that goes on in its territory and is directed toward Israel." Adam continued: “We are in close contact with the residents if northern Israel; we have instructed residents in some areas to enter bomb shelters. We hold the Lebanese government responsible for everything that goes on in its territory and is directed toward Israel." Shortly after 9 a.m. Hizbullah began its heavy bombardment of northern Israel communities, causing residents to enter bomb shelters. However, the initial attack was a mere diversion from the simultaneous kidnapping operation. Shortly after 9 a.m. Hizbullah began its heavy bombardment of northern Israel communities, causing residents to enter bomb shelters. However, the initial attack was a mere diversion from the simultaneous kidnapping operation. The terrorists fired RPG shells at an IDF Hummer jeep traveling in the Zarit area near the security fence, considered to be a weak spot due to its location. The terrorists fired RPG shells at an IDF Hummer jeep traveling in the Zarit area near the security fence, considered to be a weak spot due to its location. Following the attack on the Hummer, Hizbullah terrorists crossed the border into Israel. During the raid three IDF reserve soldiers were killed and two others were wounded – one sustained light injuries while the other was seriously wounded; the Hizbullah members also managed to kidnap two more IDF soldiers (one of the soldiers abducted was the Hummer’s driver) into Lebanese territory. Following the attack on the Hummer, Hizbullah terrorists crossed the border into Israel. During the raid three IDF reserve soldiers were killed and two others were wounded – one sustained light injuries while the other was seriously wounded; the Hizbullah members also managed to kidnap two more IDF soldiers (one of the soldiers abducted was the Hummer’s driver) into Lebanese territory. The body of one IDF soldier was found near the terrorists’ escape route inside Lebanese territory, causing IDF officials to believe that the terrorists attempted to abduct him as well. The body of one IDF soldier was found near the terrorists’ escape route inside Lebanese territory, causing IDF officials to believe that the terrorists attempted to abduct him as well. According to Hizbullah TV, the abducted soldiers were taken to “a secure location, far away.” According to Hizbullah TV, the abducted soldiers were taken to “a secure location, far away.” The IDF responded by sending forces deep into Lebanon – six years after the withdrawal from the security strip – in an effort to retrieve the kidnapped soldiers. Heavy exchanges of fire took place, and Hizbullah said it had destroyed a tank that tried to cross the border into Lebanon; the IDF confirmed that the tank drove over a large bomb, resulting in the death of all four crew members. The IDF responded by sending forces deep into Lebanon – six years after the withdrawal from the security strip – in an effort to retrieve the kidnapped soldiers. Heavy exchanges of fire took place, and Hizbullah said it had destroyed a tank that tried to cross the border into Lebanon; the IDF confirmed that the tank drove over a large bomb, resulting in the death of all four crew members. The Merkava 2 tank was not equipped with an armor shield against bombs, but army sources said that the deaths could not have been prevented even the tank had been better protected. The Merkava 2 tank was not equipped with an armor shield against bombs, but army sources said that the deaths could not have been prevented even the tank had been better protected. The operation aimed at locating the abducted troops and the bodies of the fallen soldiers is being carried out under heavy enemy fire; the army has not been able to retrieve the soldiers’ bodies as of yet. The operation aimed at locating the abducted troops and the bodies of the fallen soldiers is being carried out under heavy enemy fire; the army has not been able to retrieve the soldiers’ bodies as of yet. IDF sources said the Hizbullah terrorists began to evacuate their outposts only a short time before the attack, adding that there was no sign they were planning a large-scale operation inside Israeli territory. IDF sources said the Hizbullah terrorists began to evacuate their outposts only a short time before the attack, adding that there was no sign they were planning a large-scale operation inside Israeli territory. First Published: 07.12.06, 20:03 talkback Print Send to friend Bookmark to del.icio.us
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Israel lanzó una incursión en el sur del Líbano en lo que según afirma fue una operación de búsqueda de 2 soldados israelíes. Los soldados fueron capturados el miércoles después de un ataque de Hezbolá, la milicia libanesa que hizo incursión en Israel.

Tres soldados israelíes murieron y once resultaron heridos cuando patrullas del ejército que vigilaban la frontera entre Israel y el Líbano fueron atacadas el miércoles en la mañana, cerca de la villa israelí de Zarit. Hezbolá también disparó morteros y cohetes de largo alcance sobre el pueblo israelí de Shlomi y comunidades cercanas. Seis civiles israelíes fueron heridos por disparos de artillería.

Después del ataque, dos soldados resultaron perdidos, las tropas israelíes y tanques entraron en el Líbano bajo la excusa de que los soldados habían sido secuestrados. Seguida la incursión, otros cinco soldados murieron cuando el tanque israelí pasó sobre una mina. Un miembro de Hezbolá murió en las escaramuzas.

Como reacción a este incidente la fuerza aérea israelí bombardeó carreteras, puentes y bases de Hezbolá en un intento de prevenir que las milicias trasladaran a los soldados, según dio a conocer Israel. Dos civiles libaneses resultaron muertos en el bombardeo de uno de los puentes, a la vez que 23 resultaron heridos. Además la artillería israelí y los buques de guerra atacaron otros objetivos en suelo libanés.

El primer ministro de Israel, Ehud Olmert, responsabilizó al gobierno libanés por el ataque que calificó como “''un acto de guerra''” y prometió que iba a dar una respuesta que sería "''dolorosa y de gran alcance''”. El comandante de personal de las Fuerzas de Defensa Israelíes, Dan Halutz, declaró al canal 10 de televisión de Israel que si los soldados no eran devueltos, “devolvería el reloj del Líbano 20 años atrás”

El secretario general de Hezbolá, Sheik Hassan Nasrallah, celebró la captura de los dos soldados calificando el acto de “''derecho apenas lógico y natural''“. También afirmó que los soldados habían sido llevados a un sitio lejos del lugar y que sólo había una forma de devolverlos la cual era a través de un intercambio con prisioneros libaneses y árabes en las cárceles israelíes.

El primer ministro Ehud Olmert convocó a su gabinete una reunión de emergencia y declaró que el intercambio de prisioneros no era ninguna opción.

El gobierno libanés emitió una declaración después de una reunión de emergencia de su gabinete diciendo que no estaba al tanto de las intenciones de Hezbolá y que no endosaba las acciones del grupo. EL primer ministro Fouad Siniora dijo además que “''el gobierno no tiene conocimiento y no tiene la responsabilidad, ni endosa lo que sucedió en la frontera internacional''”.

Dos miembros de Hezbolá hacen parte dela coalición que gobierna el Líbano.
La posición del gobierno de los Estados Unidos es de condena de los ataques de Hezbolá, admitiendo que el gobierno libanés no tiene mayor influencia sobre las acciones de la milicia organizada.

Israel envió una queja a las Naciones Unidas convocando al Concejo de Seguridad para que reforzara las resoluciones que piden al Líbano que extienda su autoridad sobre la totalidad del territorio y desarme las milicias.