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Officials: Israel foiled 2 Hezbollah kidnap attempts By Haaretz Correspondent and Agencies , By Barak Ravid Israeli officials say security services have foiled two attempts by the Lebanese militia Hezbollah to kidnap Israeli businessmen. The details about the two attempts are sketchy, and Israel's military censor banned publication of some of them. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity, because no official statement had been made. Advertisement Channel 2 TV said Hezbollah has cells in West Africa and South America. The officials said the kidnap plots were both stopped at advanced stages of development. On August 20, security officials here put out an unusual travel advisory, warning that Hezbollah was planning to kidnap Israelis abroad. New intelligence on Hezbollah's intentions to abduct Israelis abroad had prompted the government's counterterrorism unit to issue a warning to travelers, who were advised to take special precautions, to be on the alert and to be way about unknown persons entering their lives and suggestions to participate in activities in new places. In its warning, the Prime Minister's Office Counterterrorism Bureau explained that intelligence reports suggested Hezbollah is planning abductions as revenge for the assassination of Imad Mughniyeh, the militia's operations chief, who was killed in a Damascus car bombing in February. Israel has denied any involvement in the bombing. But the Sunday Times in London quoted "informed Israeli sources" that the Mossad spy agency carried out the car bombing that killed Mughniyeh. Hezbollah has vowed to avenge Mughniyeh's death by attacking Israel or Israelis abroad. The travel advisory was a general warning, applicable to the entire world, not any specific travel destinations. According to people within the intelligence community, Israel does possess specific information regarding the location where Hezbollah plans to attack. But the Counterterrorism Bureau's warning says it applies to all countries. Last month, Israeli security officials warned Israelis living and working in West Africa that Hezbollah intended to carry out abductions there. In recent months, Jewish and Israeli institutions outside Israel have bolstered security in anticipation of a possible Hezbollah attack, as have Israeli aircraft and ships. Bookmark to del.icio.us   Turning a blind eye Ex-Mossad agent Rafi Eitan: We let Nazi doctor Mengele get away. Aloha Republicans Hawaii's first Jewish governor says Palin is more experienced than Obama.

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