Israel Matzav

2 IDF soldiers killed; IDF re-creating 'security zone' in south Lebanon

We have come full circle, which is perhaps the ultimate proof that Ehud Barak's unilateral withdrawal flight from Lebanon six years ago was a horrendous move.

The IDF is 're-creating' its 'security zone' running 6-8 kilometers deep into Lebanon from the Lebanese - Israeli border. Israel had the security zone in place from 1982-2000 when Barak ordered the army to flee from Lebanon. The army is also working to push Hezbullah across the Litani River - which runs 4-40 kilometers north of the border, and to clear the entire area south of the Litani of rocket launchers and Hezbullah. The IDF hopes to accomplish this by the end of this week.

IDF forces are currently operating in and around twenty villages in South Lebanon.

Senior officers told the Jerusalem Post that the military did not plan to rebuild the outposts it had maintained in Lebanon until 2000, but said that troops were under orders to take up key positions from which they would could control southern Lebanon.

The next stage, the officers said, was for the IDF to sweep through the villages there to eliminate Hizbullah.

Two IDF soldiers were killed and two more were seriously wounded in battles with Hezbullah guerrillas in the village of Rajamin in the western sector of south Lebanon on Thursday.

The soldiers belonged to an armored battalion of the 188th Armored Brigade, working in conjunction with Reserve Brigade 609, also known as the Alexandroni Brigade, one of Israel's most elite wartime units.

The tank was hit by a Hizbullah anti-tank missile. Two were pronounced dead at scene, while the two wounded were evacuated to Rambam Hospital in Haifa.

During the battle, IDF forces killed 14 Hizbullah operatives and captured five.

Another IDF soldier - Sgt. Adi Cohen HY"D - was killed yesterday afternoon.

posted by Carl in Jerusalem @ 6:56 PM