TEL AVIV — Israel has brought helicopters and armor to the northern
border to fight the Lebanese Hizbullah militia and its Palestinian allies.
Hizbullah rained shells on Israeli northern border settlements on
Saturday after Hizbullah captured three Israeli soldiers on patrol of the
border. A Lebanese officials said the soldiers would be returned after all
Lebanese detainees were freed by Israel.
"We see Syria as responsible," Israeli Deputy Defense Minister Ephraim
Sneh said. "It is the main address."
The northern border was placed on alert and the military sealed off key
roads to prevent attacks on motorists.
"The Israeli army will make every effort to locate the abducted soldiers
and to return them home safely," Prime Minister Ehud Barak said in a
statement.
Barak spent much of the day on the phone with U.S. President Bill
Clinton and his senior aides. The prime minister was also in touch with
other world leaders to explain the situation.
Lebanese sources reported clashes between Israeli and Hizbullah.
Lebanese television said Israeli tanks shelled Hizbullah cars and members
and that 20 were injured.
The sources reported flight by Lebanese from several border villages.
Hizbullah released a statement on Saturday night, warning of attacks on
Israeli soldiers and civilians.
The northern border is the second front that is threatened by war.
Earlier, the Israeli military evacuated Joseph's Tomb in the West Bank city
of Nablus, a flashpoint of attacks by Palestinian gunmen.
After the Israeli soldiers left, Palestinians rampaged through the
Jewish holy site and destroyed prayer books.
