Hizbullah Attacks Israeli Vehicle, Netanyahu Says No Casualties
Hizbullah announced Sunday it destroyed an Israeli military vehicle and killed and wounded those inside, as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claimed that the attack did not cause any casualties.
Israeli army spokesman Avichay Adraee said Israel retaliated to the operation by striking the "attack cell", firing around 100 shells on south Lebanon and launching a number of helicopter raids.
Another spokesman said in the evening that the exchange of fire was likely over and that there were no Israeli casualties despite damage on the Israeli side.
"The tactical event near Avivim, the exchange of fire, is most likely over," Israeli military spokesman Jonathan Conricus told journalists, adding that a military ambulance was hit in the escalation.
Prior to the Israeli announcements, video and picture footage had emerged of Israeli ambulances and helicopters apparently transferring wounded soldiers to hospitals.
Hizbullah's al-Manar television said the attack caused "four Israeli casualties," noting that the Wolf-type vehicle usually fits eight personnel.
The Israeli army had earlier confirmed that Israeli targets were "hit."
"A number of anti-tank missiles were fired from Lebanon towards an (Israeli military) base and military vehicles," the army said.
"A number of hits have been confirmed. (Israel's military) is responding with fire towards the sources of fire and targets in southern Lebanon," the Israeli army added.
The Israeli shelling concentrated on areas close to the border near the villages of Maroun el-Ras and Yaroun, triggering some fires.
The Lebanese Army said Israel fired 40 shells into the south of the country.
Hizbullah meanwhile claimed responsibility for the attack in a statement, saying "the group of the martyrs Hassan Zbeeb and Yasser Daher destroyed a military vehicle on the road of the Avivim barracks" in northern Israel, "killing and wounding those who were inside" the vehicle.
Zbeeb and Daher had been killed in an Israeli airstrike on Syria's Aqraba region on August 24.
Israel has been bracing for a possible attack by Hizbullah in response to the deadly strike and to a drone explosion blamed on Israel in Beirut's southern suburbs.
Israel and Hizbullah are bitter enemies that fought a monthlong war in 2006 that ended in a stalemate. Despite their deep hostility, they have largely refrained from direct fighting for the past 13 years.
The Israeli military said it had encouraged residents near the northern border with Lebanon to stay indoors and ordered public bomb shelters to open.
Source: Agence France Presse, Naharnet, Associated Press
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