Israeli operation in south Lebanon

Israeli Troops Killed in South Lebanon

They died after Israeli forces launched a night-time commando operation from helicopters between the coastal cities of Sidon and Tyre, at least forty kilometres north of the Israeli-occupied zone along its border with Lebanon.

The exact target of the operation is not clear, but the fighting occurred in areas controlled by the Shi'ite group Amal, a rival of the Hezbollah, which is frequently engaged in fighting with the Israelis.

Amnon Shahak, Israel's Chief of Staff, gave no more details of the operation, save to say that its intention had been "to fight terror activities".

Israeli Prime Minister Benyamin Netanyahu said that Israel was still determined to pursue peace negotiations. Speaking on Israeli television, he said: "In Lebanon and also in our efforts facing the Palestinians, we will not give up on our willingness and determination to reach real agreements, accords that will bring us security and peace."

Two Lebanese army troops were wounded when Israeli helicopters rocketed their positions in the area and four Amal Movement guerrillas and two Hezbollah fighters were also injured in the ensuing clashes.

The pro-Syrian Amal, Lebanon's mainstream Shi'ite movement, said the Israeli commandos were seeking to attack one of its bases.

Hezbollah, funded and backed by Iran, is fighting a war of attrition against Israeli forces and their local militia allies of the South Lebanon Army (SLA).

A woman civilian was killed when her car was hit by a shell and six other people were wounded in the fighting.

Exactly a month ago an Israeli force killed five Lebanese militiamen and wounded five civilians in an airborne raid five kilometres north of the occupied border strip.