An Israel Defense Forces soldier was killed and another was wounded by a Hezbollah anti-tank rocket fired at an IDF bulldozer that was clearing a minefield on the Lebanese border. The commander of the northern front, Maj. Gen. Benny Gantz, and government spokesmen blamed Syria and Lebanon for the incident.
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Sergeant Major Jan Rotzanski, 21, of Herzliya was killed in the attack.
IDF sources said Israel is expected to respond, however, the army will try to avoid a general deterioration in the area.
The incident took place as the army was clearing the minefield - a series of landmines planted next to the fence on the border in the Moshav Zarit area in the western sector of the northern border. The Hezbollah-planted bombs were discovered two week ago, but the removal, a complicated procedure, was delayed due to weather conditions.
"The Islamic resistance challenged a land violation by the Zionist occupation forces when one of its tractors crossed the border toward Lebanese land," Hezbollah said in a statement. "The tractor received a direct hit."
A senior Lebanese army source said Hezbollah guerrillas fired a rocket at an Israeli bulldozer that crossed into Lebanese territory, destroying it. The IDF vehemently denied Hezbollah claims that the tractor had crossed the border.
Prime Minister Sharon's adviser, Dore Gold, said "the Hezbollah attack on the IDF position illustrates the duplicity of the Syrian regime, which talks peace to The New York Times and backs Hezbollah attacks in violation of United Nations resolutions."
Gantz said people on the other side of the northern border "should be worried by the irresponsible behavior of Hezbollah." He said Israel is weighing its response to the incident, and warned Hezbollah through UNIFIL of the consequences of yesterday's attack.
The incident came hours after Israel Air Force fighter planes crossed into Lebanese airspace for the first time in two weeks, prompting Hezbollah to fire anti-aircraft shells in response.
The two soldiers involved in yesterday's attack were working in the armored bulldozer's cabin when the missile struck its windshield. Both were evacuated to a hospital in Nahariya, and one died on the way. The bulldozer was clearing shrubbery and boulders around the minefield to make it easier for sappers to prepare a remote controlled explosion that would eliminate all bombs
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