Military

DATE=10/28/2003

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=ISRAEL / LEBANON (L)

NUMBER=2-309121

BYLINE= SONJA PACE

DATELINE=JERUSALEM

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: Israel is threatening strong retaliation if cross-border attacks continue from neighboring Lebanon. The warning comes after an attack by Hizbollah militants on Israeli positions in a disputed border area and amid rising tensions between Israel and Lebanon and Syria. VOA's Sonja Pace reports from Jerusalem.

TEXT: Israel's military commander for the northern front, Major-General Benny Ganz, says continuing cross-border attacks are a dangerous factor and could result in a very forceful reaction from Israel.

Hizbollah guerrillas fired rockets and artillery rounds at several Israeli positions in the disputed Shebaa Farms area along the Lebanese border on Monday. Israel responded with air strikes and by shelling several villages in southern Lebanon.

Speaking on Israeli radio Tuesday, Major General Ganz said if Israel is forced to respond to further attacks, Hizbollah, the Lebanese government and neighboring Syria would be to blame.

Syria has troops in Lebanon and wields a great deal of influence over its smaller neighbor. Syria is also one of Hizbollah's main backers, along with Iran, and Israel accuses Damascus of supporting other terrorist groups as well. It's a charge Syria denies.

Earlier this month Israel struck at what it said was a terrorist training camp near Damascus. The raid followed a deadly suicide bombing in Israel's port city of Haifa.

Syria's Foreign Minister Farouk a-Shara told the British Sunday Telegraph newspaper that Damascus would strike back if attacked again and he singled out Israeli settlements in the occupied Golan Heights as likely targets. And, on Monday Lebanon's army said it had worked out a strategy with Syria to confront what it termed enemy threats.

U-S Secretary of State Colin Powell urged Israel and Syria to tone down the rhetoric. Mr. Powell said that these sorts of threats do not help anyone and just heighten tensions.

NEB/SP/AWP