An Israeli soldier was killed in an exchange of fire today between units of the Israel Defense Force and the Lebanese army in south Lebanon, a military spokesman announced this evening. His death brought to 623 the fatalities suffered by the IDF since it invaded Lebanon in June, 1982.
A report from Beirut said both sides used tanks in an engagement that lasted three hours. Israeli sources said the duration was about 30 minutes. Initial reports said no casualties had been reported by either side.
Military sources here said the IDF views the incident with gravity but believes it was a “local initiative” by a local commander. It was the third such clash in recent days between IDF units and Lebanese regulars, precipitated, the Israelis say, by Lebanese attempts to interfere with IDF pursuit of guerrillas. Senior IDF and Lebanese army officers were reported to be in contact to prevent future clashes.
According to the Israeli account, today’s incident developed after an IDF patrol observed suspicious movements by a group of men travelling in cars with Lebanese license plates northwest of Nabatiye. They had crossed the line that demarks the IDF’s new positions after completing the first stage of its with-drawal from south Lebanon.
HOUSE-TO-HOUSE SEARCH CONTINUES
The IDF patrol gave chase and the intruders withdrew toward Katouria E-Sayed village, just across the line. At that point, the Israelis say, a Lebanese army unit in the village opened fire on the patrol and the patrol returned the fire. Lebanese officers claimed the IDF shelled the village approaches and fired from helicopters.
Elsewhere in south Lebanon, the IDF continued its house-to-house searches for guerrillas and weapons in Shiite Moslem villages and the Israel-backed South Lebanon Army (SLA) suffered casualties in clashes with guerrillas. IDF units were attacked twice last night, near Adweir village and on the outskirts of Nabatiya without sustaining casualties. Military sources said attacks on the IDF have escalated since the “iron fist” policy — tough reaction and preventive measures — was adopted in south Lebanon last month but IDF casualties have been fewer.
IDF search operations today focussed on Halessiya and Sarousiya villages. A house was destroyed in the former, according to a spokesman for the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL).
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
