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Photo: Meir Azulay
Killed by Hizbullah fire. Peretz
Photo: Meir Azulay
Photo: Avihu Shapira
Hizbullah manages to infiltrate Israel. Wounded soldiers evacuated
Photo: Avihu Shapira
Photo: Reuters
Attack on Mount Dov. (archive photo)
Photo: Reuters

IDF troop killed in Hizbullah attacks

One soldier killed, four others injured in Hizbullah attacks in northern border; IDF elite unit identifies a group of Hizbullah terrorists that infiltrated Israel from Lebanon in the Mount Dov region; two troops, one terrorist injured in ensuing gun battle. Meanwhile, Hizbullah fires mortars at IDF outposts along northern border; two troops hurt in attack

Corporal Uzi Peretz of Beer Sheva was killed and four others sustained light injuries Wednesday in two separate incidents along the northern border.

 

IDF troops belonging to an elite unit identified a group of Hizbullah terrorists that had infiltrated Israel in the Mount Dov region of the Israel-Lebanon border. The troops shot and hit one of the terrorists, but the unit's physician was hurt from shrapnel during the gun battle. 

 

 


Injured troops being evacuated (Photo: Avihu Shapira) 

 

 

Immediately afterwards more than 20 mortar shells were fired at IDF outposts in the area.

 

Four soldiers positioned in the “Dalya” IDF outpost were hit as well. Peretz, 20, died of his wounds; shrapnel hit two of his comrades, and another troop sprained his ankle.

 

IDF forces returned fire, and Air Force fighter choppers and planes attacked Hizbullah positions in the area.

 

Later soldiers fired again at the Hizbullah terrorists that had infiltrated Israel, but it has not yet been determined how many terrorists were hit.

 

The IDF reported that due to a technical malfunction a missile fell from an Air Force chopper that participated in the attacks on Hizbullah positions in Lebanon and landed in an open field in the northern town of Margaliot. No injuries or damage were reported.

  

Northern Command Chief Benny Gantz said following the incidents, “This is a provocation by Hizbullah, which is trying to justify its existence as an armed organization amid the internal pressures it is facing.”

 

“The Lebanese government will no longer be able to remain vindicated with regard to the goings on in Lebanon’s southern border,” he said.

 

On Independence Day terrorists fired a Katyusha rocket and mortar shells from Lebanon at northern towns; no Israelis were injured in the incidents.

 

Five weeks ago Hizbullah fired mortar shells at Israel’s northern region; the terror group claimed at the time the fire was in response to warning shots fired by IDF troops at a shepherd who had crossed the border into Israel.

 

Two weeks prior to the incident Hizbullah fired 12 mortar shells at an IDF outpost in the Mount Dov region. Air Force choppers and fighter jets retaliated.

 

'Situation can turn in an instant'

 

Hizbullah confirmed that the armed wing of the Islamic Resistance carried out the attack on three IDF outposts in the Shaba Farms in response to “Israeli infringements of Lebanese areas.”

 

The explosions were also heard in the northern town of Kiryat Shmona, and Mayor Haim Barbevai ordered municipal workers to open all the shelters and enter a state of alert.

 

“Those who believed life in Kiryat Shmona after the withdrawal (from Lebanon) has become peaceful and calm learned today that the situation can turn in an instant,” he said.

 

“I am very concerned about the developments and hope that as the children begin their summer vacation we will not have any more severe incidents.”

  

Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz said, “The crossing of the Blue Line (Israel-Lebanon border) is, from our standpoint, a crossing of a red line.”

 

He instructed the IDF to act against Hizbullah but at the same time avoid a deterioration in the situation.

 

Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom said in response to Hizbullah’s attack,” Israel considers the Lebanese government responsible for what happens in its territory and expects it to take action to contain the organization (Hizbullah).”

 

He asked Israel's Ambassador to the U.N. Danny Gillerman to file a harsh protest with the organization regarding Hizbullah's actions. 

 

U.S. State Department Spokesman Richard Boucher said in response to the escalation, “Our position is that Israel has a right to defend itself."

 

Recently the IDF held a three-day extensive exercise to test its ability to react to escalation along the northern border during the scheduled disengagement from Gaza and parts of the West Bank.

 

Following the recent escalation, IDF Northern Command sources said Israel would retaliate at its own convenience and that Hizbullah would not dictate Israel’s policy.

 

Israel prefers to keep the northern border calm in order to avoid a situation in which the IDF would have to simultaneously carry out the scheduled disengagement and fight on the northern border.

 

-Ali Waked and Yitzhak Benhorin contributed to this article

 


פרסום ראשון: 06.29.05, 18:06
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