3 soldiers killed, 2 seized in Hezbollah border strike

[bemildred]

Three Israel Defense Forces soldiers were killed and two others were abducted Wednesday morning in an attack by guerillas from the militant Hezbollah organization.

The militants attacked two IDF armored Hummer jeeps patrolling along the border with gunfire and explosives, in the midst of massive shelling attacks on Israel's north.

The army withheld news of the deaths for several hours while the soldiers' families were notified.

Haaretz

I waited for Haaretz to pick it up.

[winter999]

1. Good to see Hezbollah working to calm the situation.

They must really want peace!

[bemildred]

2. Au contraire. They clearly set out to pick a fight.

It is interesting to speculate as to why.

[Scurrilous]

3. 7 IDF soldiers killed in north

Three troops killed during Hizbullah abduction of two soldiers in north; four others killed as tank drives over roadside bomb during search for kidnappers. Forces still attempting to return soldiers

http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3274457,00.html

<snip>

"Three IDF soldiers were killed Wednesday during a Hizbullah raid on Israel's northern border, during which two soldiers were kidnapped by the terorr group. Four other soldiers were killed as an IDF tank drove over a roadside bomb during the search for the kidnappers."

[bemildred]

4. Sounds like Iraqi tactics and weapons have migrated. nt

[bemildred]

5. Eight now:

http://www.kfty.com/news/world/story.aspx?content_id=5F00014C-15FD-4A5A-8A81-54107D974B99

BEIRUT, Lebanon (AP) - Israel now says eight of its soldiers have died following a raid by Hezbollah militants.

The cross-border incursion and the capture of two Israeli soldiers prompted an Israeli invasion of southern Lebanon today, and airstrikes hit a target within ten miles of the capital, Beirut.

The Palestinian base that has been attacked by Israel in previous operations is run by a Syrian-backed group. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice says Syria has a "special responsibility" to resolve the new crisis.

The leader of Hezbollah in Lebanon says the only way for Israel to get its soldiers back is through a prisoner swap. But the Israeli prime minister says unless the Lebanese government sees to the soldiers' return, the response will be "very, very painful."

[jseankil]

6. Syria should act fast before they get drawn in. /nm

nm