Israel pushes into Lebanon
2006-07-24 10:49
Beirut - Heavy fighting erupted as Israeli ground forces pushed further into Lebanon on Monday morning, heading toward a suspected Hezbollah stronghold, as the Lebanese group fired more rockets into northern Israel.
Israeli troops took control of the area surrounding the Lebanese town of Bint Jbail after a heavy artillery barrage early on Monday.
Israeli military officials said the army had not yet taken the town.
Nine soldiers were wounded, said the military.
Israeli media reported some Hezbollah casualties. Large plumes of grey smoke rose over the area.
Bint Jbail is about 2km north of the hilltop village of Maroun al-Ras, another suspected Hezbollah centre.
Israeli ground troops fought for control of Maroun al-Ras, less than 500m from the border, over the weekend.
The army said it was expanding its ground operation in Lebanon. The operation had been limited to pinpoint operations near the border - a policy military analysts said may well be insufficient to achieve Israel's goal of destroying Hezbollah's ability to attack the country.
Hezbollah fighters captured
"The scope continues to grow in recent days," brigadier general Alon Friedman told Israel Army Radio. "We are advancing."
Friedman said the operation would continue for 10 days "in order to achieve the basic goals we set down."
Israel Radio reported that Israeli airstrikes had destroyed nine rocket launchers in the Tyre area, about 20km north of the Israeli border, on Monday.
The military said Hezbollah fighters had been firing rockets at the port of Haifa from the area.
The report said a 14-tube launcher, to be used for more rocket strikes, had been knocked out.
The army said it had captured two Hezbollah fighters, the first taken any into custody during the fighting.
381 Lebanese killed so far
"When the enemy surrenders, we take them prisoner. The two prisoners are located in Israel and will be held here with the aim of interrogating them," said Friedman.
Two more rockets were fired into Israel on Monday, landing in the northern town of Kiryat Shmona. No casualties or damage were reported.
United States secretary of state Condoleezza Rice was travelling to the Middle East to discuss the crisis with officials on Monday.
She was to meet Israeli foreign minister Tzipi Livni on Monday night, and Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on Tuesday.
Israel launched its operation into Lebanon after Hezbollah guerrillas killed three soldiers and captured two others in a cross-border raid on July 12.
At least 381 people, mostly civilians, have been killed in Lebanon in the past two weeks.
Israel's death toll stands at 36.
- AP