Israel Matzav

Washington Post: Seven Israeli soldiers killed

The Washington Post is reporting that seven Israeli soldiers were killed in today's fighting in Lebanon.

The Post also has more details on the fighting in Lebanon, which I have not yet seen here in Israel. Note also the reaction to the kidnapping.

In southern Lebanon, fighter jets bombed five bridges in quick succession, effectively cutting off that region from the rest of the country, civil defense officials said. At least two Lebanese civilians were killed in one of the bridge strikes, and a power plant was badly damaged.

Air strikes hit the cities of Marjuyun and Kfar Shouba. Warships were shelling Lebanon, Israeli news agencies reported, and witnesses said Katyusha rockets were being fired from the western part of the border into Israel, close to the Mediterranean Sea.

Scores of suddenly stranded Lebanese wandered back roads looking for a way home -- their faces grim and worried, their belongings stuffed into plastic bags. Sirens wailed in the background.

"We're scared, we're scared, from the moment of the attack until now, we're just scared," said Um Fatimah, whose cousin was one of the people killed in the air strike on the bridge. "It only gets more difficult for us."

After warplanes passed over Beirut, anti-aircraft fire thundered through the capital for about a half hour. The Israeli government urged residents of northern border towns to seek cover in underground bomb shelters.

The attacks and counterattacks are sure to escalate tensions along a border that often serves as a battlefield between Hezbollah militias and the Israeli army. But the sense of unease and fear was mixed with resignation from people who have known peace only rarely. Many also said they were elated at the capture of the soldiers by Hezbollah, which for years has effectively controlled this region.

"Look, we're used to it -- 25 years, 26 years it's been like this," Hassan Qaryani, a 21-year-old butcher from Burj Rahal, said of the air strikes. The kidnapping, he said, was "like a crown on my head . . . as soon as I heard the news I was overjoyed. It was like Italy winning the World Cup."

In the southern suburbs of Beirut, people handed out candy in the streets and set off fireworks. Fireworks also were set off on the airport road, snarling traffic.

There's lots more going on....

posted by Carl in Jerusalem @ 4:18 PM