Israel reinforces northern border

NICOSIA — Israel has brought in massive reinforcements for what Western defense sources describe as preparations for the outbreak of war along its northern border.

Western defense sources said Israel has deployed up to 100 tanks and armored vehicles along the border with Lebanon. They said the military has also brought troops and other equipment to the area.

The sources said the reinforcements are meant to prepare for retaliation against any attack by the Lebanese Hizbullah. They said Hizbullah has also reinforced positions in southern Lebanon. This includes the deployment of rocket launchers and mortars in southern Lebanon and within range of Israeli communities.

Israeli commanders in the north acknowledge a military buildup and said they have received alerts of Hizbullah preparations to attack the Jewish state. They said they are expecting either a shelling offensive against Israeli military positions or another infiltration attempt by Hizbullah. This could include the use of handgliders that will fly guerrillas over the border fence.

The commanders said neither United Nations peacekeepers nor the Lebanese troops are stopping the Hizbullah buildup.

But a senior military intelligence official told the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee on Tuesday that Arab neighbors of Israel are not planning a war. The official said the Arabs have also not formed a military coalition against the Jewish state.

In Damascus, Saudi Defense Minister Prince Sultan said he did not detect plans for a war against Israel. Sultan, completing a visit to Syria, said such a war would be disastrous.