Israeli Forces Battle Hezbollah Guerrillas Near Syrian Border
01 August 2006
Israeli forces are engaged in fierce fighting with Hezbollah guerrillas on the ground near a Hezbollah stronghold in the Bekaa Valley, along the Syrian border.
A Hezbollah spokesman says militants have surrounded a hospital in the ancient town of Baalbek, and that Israeli soldiers are trapped inside.
Reports say Israeli aircraft have attacked Hezbollah positions in the region.
There is no official word on casualties.
Israeli troops and Hezbollah guerillas are fighting fierce battles in southern Lebanon.
The Israeli army said three of its soldiers were killed Tuesday in the Lebanese town of Aita al-Shaab. The army also said 25 Israeli soldiers were wounded.
The latest fighting comes hours after the Israeli government approved expanded ground operations in Lebanon.
Israel said it will resume full-scale airstrikes on Lebanon early Wednesday at the end of a 48-hour suspension of bombing.
Israeli officials also say troops have killed several hundred Hezbollah fighters during the three week campaign -- a figure Hezbollah denies.
In a speech Tuesday, Israel's Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said Israel will only agree to a ceasefire when conditions on the ground that led to the outbreak of war have changed.
Hezbollah television reported Tuesday that militants ambushed and pinned down Israeli troops in the village of Aita al-Shaab, killing or wounding 35 soldiers.
Hezbollah rocket attacks against civilian targets in Israel have declined in the past two days.
Israel's Defense Minister Amir Peretz says the Israeli military will target any vehicle carrying weapons from Syria.
Some information for this report provided by AP and AFP.
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