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Israel launches raids on Lebanon

Atul Aneja

Hizbullah captures two Israeli soldiers, demands prisoner swap

— PHOTO: AP

VITAL LINK: Lebanese citizens at the Qassmieh bridge destroyed by Israel, on the main north-south highway in southern Lebanon on Wednesday.

DUBAI: Lebanese guerillas have captured two Israeli soldiers, triggering the first Israeli incursion into Lebanon in six years.

The Hizbullah group led by Hassan Nasrallah said in a statement it had seized the two Israeli soldiers at 0904 local time. They had been taken to a "safe place," the statement added, without clarifying whether the detenus were alive or injured. The group has linked the release of the soldiers to the freeing of Palestinians jailed by Israel.

The seizure of the troops has generated a multi-pronged response from Israel. Its planes bombarded Hizbullah outposts and roads, killing two civilians. Thousands of reserve troops have been called, signalling that a large-scale operation might be in the works. The Israeli buildup on its northern borders comes at a time when its troops have intruded parts of Gaza Strip to free one of its soldiers, Gilad Shalit. Palestinian militants had captured Cpl. Shalit on June 25.

Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert described the Hizbullah action as an "act of war" by Lebanon. At a press conference in Jerusalem, he said "The Lebanese government, of which Hizbullah is a part, is trying to shake regional stability. We are already responding with great strength," he said, adding that "very painful and far-reaching" action could be anticipated.

Casualties

On Wednesday morning, Hizbullah blasted the Israeli town of Shlomi and outposts in the disputed Shebba farms with dozens of Katyusha rockets and mortar bombs. Later in the day, the group claimed that its fighters had destroyed an Israeli tank that was attempting to cross the border. An Israeli military spokeswoman was quoted as saying there had been a number of casualties. Israel has asked civilians in its northern areas to stay inside their shelters.

Hizbullah had risen into prominence in 2000 when it captured three Israeli soldiers. While these soldiers died during the operation, the Hizbullah, nevertheless, could trade their bodies with the release of 430 Palestinians and Lebanese held in Israeli jails. Analysts point out that the skirmish could acquire a larger regional dimension as Israel's arch-foes, Syria and Iran support Hizbullah. The Hizbullah action is also seen as a dramatic expression of solidarity with the Palestinians.

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