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IDF troops of the Engineering Corps guarding a border position at Moshav Avivim late Wednesday. (Yaron Kaminsky) del.icio.us Digg It!  new Last update - 01:20 08/02/2007 IDF shells Lebanese Army positions across northern border By Amos Harel, Haaretz Correspondent, Haaretz Service and Agencies Israel Defense Forces troops fired warning shells late Wednesday at Lebanese Army positions across their shared frontier, after Lebanese troops fired light weapons at IDF tanks north of the border fence, although still inside sovereign Israeli territory. IDF troops issued a warning to the Lebanese forces in the wake of the initial incident, and a short time later fired shells at the Lebanese position, opposite Moshav Avivim. There are no reports of IDF casualties, but the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon, an international peace-keeping force bolstered following the second Lebanon war last summer, reported that five soldiers in the Lebanese Army were wounded during the exchange of fire. Advertisement Lebanese Army officials disputed UNIFIL claims that any soldiers were wounded, and said their forces suffered no casualties. UNIFIL are trying to mediate. Earlier Wednesday, IDF troops crossed the border fence in the area where four Hezbollah bombs were discovered Monday, in order to search the area for additional explosive devices. While the troops are operating north of the border fence, they are not expected to cross the international border, which lies several dozen meters beyond the fence. IDF bulldozers accompanied by Engineering Corps and infantry troops overturned mounds of earth in order to ensure that there were no additional bombs. "The aim of the operation is to confirm that no additional explosive devices are located in the area and to make it difficult for the Hezbollah terror organization to conceal explosive devices in the area in the future," said the IDF in a statement. "Furthermore the operation emphasizes the Israeli sovereignty along the international border and increases the effectiveness of IDF operations along the border," added the statement. On Wednesday morning, the Lebanese Army threatened to fire on IDF troops crossing the international border. The IDF said in response that it has no intention of crossing the border, but that soldiers will defend themselves if fired upon. At this point, the IDF Northern Command has been unable to determine as of yet whether the bombs found Monday were placed by Hezbollah recently, or whether the bombs were simply exposed due to heavy rains in the area. Hezbollah said Tuesday that the devices had been there since before the July 12 outbreak of the war. The IDF operation is being carried out under heavy security, in order to prevent Hezbollah from attacking the troops. Israel has updated UNIFIL on the military operation, making it clear the troops will not cross the international border. This is not the first time the IDF has operated north of the border fence. Following the army's withdrawal from south Lebanon in 2000, the fence was redrawn. At several points its path was routed south of the border, as far as 100 meters in, in what the army cited as strategic considerations. In searches conducted in recent months along the fence, IDF troops have discovered Hezbollah positions and equipment which appear to have been used in the abduction of two IDF soldiers in July 2006. 'Syria rearming Hezbollah' Defense Minister Amir Peretz on Wednesday accused Syria of allowing the rearmament of Hezbollah guerrillas in Lebanon and said Israel has the right to act forcefully against the Shiite militia to counter the threat. Speaking to visiting U.S. Jewish leaders, Peretz said Syria, Hezbollah's main ally, is continuing to allow weapons shipments to the group to cross its border with Lebanon. "We can't under any circumstances ignore the transfer of weapons and ammunition to Hezbollah," Peretz said. "While Israel remains committed to the cease-fire we reserve the right to protect the citizens of the State of Israel and we will do this forcefully without any compromises." In Beirut, a Hezbollah official declined comment. About two weeks ago, IDF troops destroyed two Hezbollah bunkers uncovered during searches of the area around the border fence. One of the bunkers was found during the war, and the other was uncovered last month. Both bunkers were within Israel's territory, somewhere between the international border and the border fence. The bunkers housed supplies, food and tools that would enable a long stay underground Bookmark to del.icio.us Remembering Rabin 150,000 gather in Tel Aviv to mark the 12th anniversary of Rabin's assassination. Bring on the big guns A U.S. judge okays defense request to subpoena Rice, Hadley in AIPAC trial.   1.   nature of UNIFIL II should have been clear 16:35  |  Paul Freedman 07/02/07   2.   Will the IDF go up against UNIFIL? 16:41  |  Jason 07/02/07   3.   By doing nothing, Lebanon is asking for war 17:26  |  Dave 07/02/07   4.   Israel should rescind cease fire and warn Unifil out 17:42  |  Bernard Rosss 07/02/07   5.   the enemies within 17:47  |  BO 07/02/07   6.   He is absolutely crazy, what "right"? Might? ;-) 17:47  |  Fritz 07/02/07   7.   Just yesterday we heard how the Hizbullah 18:04  |  Phillies Wright 07/02/07   8.   "Keep him away from Ministry of Finance" 18:12  |  Sarah 07/02/07   9.   UNIFIL and LAF failing in their obligations. 18:19  |  Marwan مروان خو 07/02/07   10.   The Lebanese would welcome it 18:19  |  Sherman 07/02/07   11.   Dave 18:42  |  Stephen 07/02/07   12.   But ...... 18:42  |  Fred 07/02/07   13.   SHUT UP AND ACT! 18:46  |  Brant 07/02/07   14.   Well, go ahead. 19:00  |  Colin Wright 07/02/07   15.   Re Sherman #10 19:09  |  Colin Wright 07/02/07   16.   Israeli cowards... Why not attack Syria? 19:11  |  Akram 07/02/07   17.   attacking UNIFIL 19:13  |  whoopwhoop 07/02/07   18.   #12 Fred - but yes! 19:16  |  Yonatan 07/02/07   19.   I do wish Peretz would keep his mouth shut 19:17  |  Yonatan 07/02/07   20.   16. Syria, UNIFIL, Iran, China ...... 19:18  |  hmmmmmm 07/02/07   21.   right to use force 19:33  |  Maury 07/02/07   22.   To Dave 19:42  |  Elie 07/02/07   23.   marwan and israelis 19:55  |  Lebanese Communist 07/02/07   24.   to Fred 20:33  |  Sol 07/02/07   25.   How obsured 20:34  |  Baz Mann 07/02/07   26.   18. Yonatan - but no ! 20:39  |  whizbang 07/02/07   27.   Well that is another one of Olmerts war aims achieved 20:50  |  Chris Linthwaite 07/02/07   28.   Fritz, are you holding him to a higher standard as you claimed 20:50  |  Nadav 07/02/07   29.   Re: Akram # 16 21:17  |  Sherman 07/02/07   30.   To Colin Wright #14 21:19  |  Sherman 07/02/07   31.   1100 French soldiers trying to keep it quite 21:29  |  Karam 07/02/07   32.   IDF is looking to get its but kicked again is it 21:43  |  Mr Knowitall 07/02/07   33.   The other way around??? 21:51  |  Joe 07/02/07   34.   CALL IN WITNESSES 22:05  |  Arik Silverman 07/02/07   35.   ISRAEL INVITING WAR WITH LEBANESE ARMY 22:09  |  Arik Silverman 07/02/07   36.   Colin Wright 22:12  |  Honest Observation 07/02/07   37.   For Marwan # 9 22:20  |  Clickfool 07/02/07   38.   to Akram from Paris about the Israeli cowards 22:38  |  Joe 07/02/07   39.   #33 - Joe...Uh, Not quite 22:50  |  Ryan 07/02/07   40.   What about the Cluster Bombs??? 22:56  |  Anonymous 07/02/07   41.   HEZBALLAH should be DISARMED. If UNIFIL don`t do, IDF - WILL DO!! 22:57  |  Vittorio 07/02/07   42.   #26 whizbang - you have an odd definition of aggression 23:05  |  Yonatan 07/02/07   43.   Israel plays warmonger once again. 23:19  |  Dutch Dirk 07/02/07   44.   Israeli unprovoked agression 23:32  |  Yaakov Sullivan 07/02/07   45.   Exchange of fire on the border 23:38  |  Chris Linthwaite 07/02/07   46.   Mr Knowitall 23:39  |  rich 07/02/07   47.   Akram 23:42  |  rich 07/02/07   48.   Peace to Lebanon and Israel 23:49  |  Mike 07/02/07   49.   Perfidious Lebs have lost their marbles,no restraint this time! 23:51  |  Absolute Sweden 07/02/07   50.   Lebanese Sovereignty 23:55  |  Paulo 07/02/07   51.   Facts, Words, and Acts 00:02  |  A Lebanese 08/02/07   52.   One of two scenarios possible 00:07  |  bimmer 08/02/07   53.   C.WRIGHT"You attack again?, and strengthen Hezbollah.No Hisbula " 00:13  |  PETER SM 08/02/07   54.   Well done, IDF! 00:14  |  Spoon 08/02/07   55.   As long as the IDF does not cross the INTERNATIONAL BORDER 00:24  |  Hadjidakis 08/02/07   56.   #34, #35 00:28  |  Nick 08/02/07   57.   Re:#42 00:28  |  Grootkak 08/02/07   58.   To Yaakov and Dirk 00:33  |  Dave O`Tool 08/02/07   59.   #40: reversing facts--IDF didn`t cross border 00:35  |  Paul Freedman 08/02/07   60.   Mike - How come you neglected to mention 00:37  |  Gina 08/02/07   61.   The Israeli troops are in "SOVEREIGN ISRAELI TERRITORY". 00:38  |  PETER SM 08/02/07   62.   A Lebanese #48 00:45  |  Gee 08/02/07   63.   To Dutch Dirk 00:46  |  DAVID KAPLAN 08/02/07   64.   #23, Lebanese communist 00:48  |  Cipora Julianna Kohn 08/02/07   65.   Israel was in the right 00:48  |  Clickfool 08/02/07   66.   Yaakov Sullivan 00:49  |  DAVID KAPLAN 08/02/07   67.   Dutch Dirk 00:50  |  Butch ben Yok 08/02/07   68.   "`There may be casualties on the Lebanese side." 00:50  |  Apartheid 08/02/07   69.   Lebanese Army firing at Israel, BUT no Hezbollah to be seen!!!!!! 00:50  |  TR 08/02/07   70.   To Joe - USA 00:53  |  DAVID KAPLAN 08/02/07   71.   Clickfool 00:58  |  DAVID KAPLAN 08/02/07   72.   Stormtrooper Fritzi and convertite "Chris" Yoyne Lintwit united 01:02  |  Absolute Sweden 08/02/07   73.   All the Lebanese did was fire illumination shells 01:12  |  Chris Linthwaite 08/02/07   74.   #51 Hadjidakis - Lebanon has no case???? 01:18  |  Johnboy 08/02/07   75.   response to Akram in Paris 01:24  |  Kipperraes 08/02/07   76.   #50 PETER SM - just to point out to you.. 01:25  |  Johnboy 08/02/07   77.   Bashar is a sissy of a dictator 01:26  |  christoph 08/02/07   78.   DUTCH DIRK"Entering Lebanon in search of alleged Hizbullah bombs? 01:33  |  PETER SM 08/02/07   79.   SULLIVAN"an act of war provoked by Israel" How? 01:37  |  PETER SM 08/02/07   80.   ANONYMOUS.Israeli or Hisbula cluster bombs? 01:41  |  PETER SM 08/02/07   81.   Paulo, the same who has refused to recognize Israel`s right to 06:05  |  Nadav 08/02/07   82.   Leb Idiots 18:13  |  Mohan 02/11/07   83.   to No. 15 19:00  |  abaibraok 02/11/07   84.   to No 16 19:02  |  abaibraok 02/11/07   85.   syria and cowards 18:35  |  john savage 04/11/07

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