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 has launched an incursion into southern Lebanon in what they claim is a search for two Israeli soldiers. The soldiers were taken Wednesday following an attack by Hezbollah, a Lebanese militia, that had made an incursion into Israel. 

Three Israeli soldiers died and eleven were wounded when army transports patrolling at the Israeli-Lebanese border were attacked on Wednesday morning, near the Israeli village of Zar'it. Hezbollah also fired mortars and long-range rockets at the Israeli town of Shlomi and nearby communities. Six Israeli civilians were injured by the artillery fire.

After the attack two soldiers were found to be missing. Israeli troops and tanks then entered southern Lebanon, having claimed the soldiers were kidnapped. Following the incursion, five more soldiers were killed, four of them when an Israeli tank hit a mine. Hezbollah said one of its members died.

The Israeli air-force targeted several roads, bridges and Hezbollah outposts in an attempt to stop militants from moving the soldiers, Israel said. Two civilians were killed in an air raid on one of the bridges, while 23 others have been injured. Israeli artillery and gunboats also attacked other targets on Lebanese soil.

Later, Hezbollah said they had destroyed an Israeli tank which had crossed the border into Lebanon.

Ehud Olmert, Israel's Prime Minister, blamed the attack on the Lebanese government calling it "an act of war" and vowed to deliver a "very painful and far-reaching" response. Israel Defense Forces Chief of Staff Dan Halutz told Israel's Channel 10 that if the soldiers are not returned "we will turn Lebanon's clock back 20 years".

Hezbollah Secretary-General, Sheik Hassan Nasrallah, hailed what he called the capture of the two soldiers calling them "our natural, only and logical right". He also said that the soldiers were taken to "a far away place" and that the only way to get them back was through an exchange with Lebanese and other Arab prisoners in Israeli jails.

The Israeli cabinet is in an emergency meeting and has yet to make an official statement about the situation. PM Ehud Olmert said previously that swapping of prisoners is not an option.

Hezbollah's announcement of their captures led to celebration scenes in a Hezbollah-strong suburb in Beirut with firing of guns in the air and handing out candy to children.

The Lebanese government issued a statement after an emergency meeting of the cabinet saying that it was not informed of the intentions of Hezbollah and that it does not endorse the group's actions. Prime Minister Fouad Siniora was quoted as saying that "the government was not aware of and does not take responsibility for, nor endorses what happened on the international border". 

Hezbollah currently has two sitting members on the Lebanese government's ruling coalition.

The view recognized by the United States is one that condemned the attacks, but acknowledged that Lebanon had little say over Hezbollah in the south. The White House  said the militant group's violent actions were supported by Iran and Syria.

Israel has filed a complaint with the United Nations which called for the Security Council to enforce resolutions urging Lebanon to extend its authority throughout its territory and to disarm its militias.