A Weekend of Violence Along Israel’s Northern Border

Two Israel Defense Force soldiers were killed in an ambush by terrorist infiltrators in Upper Galilee early Sunday morning. The three terrorists were killed shortly afterwards by an IDF patrol.

The dead soldiers were identified as Lt. Yoav Sharon, whose funeral was held in Haifa later Sunday, and Sgt, Assaf Alon, The incident capped a weekend of violence along Israel’s northern border. On Saturday morning, a contingent of about 60 heavily armed guerrillas of the Iranbacked Shiite extremist Hezbullah attacked a position manned by the IDF and the allied South Lebanon Army (SLA) near Kantara village in the south Lebanon security zone 10 kilometers from the Israel border.

At least 18 of the attackers were killed in a pitched battle and four IDF soldiers were slightly wounded. The attack was apparently well planned, employing mortars, machineguns, rocket-propelled grenades, rifles, hand grenades and bazookas. IDF infantrymen counter-attacked, supported by tanks and helicopter gunships.

Helicopters later strafed the area north of the Litani River where the Hezbullah terrorists fled.

ON MISSION TO TAKE ISRAELI HOSTAGES

The ambush 24 hours later was by terrorists of Palestine Liberation Organization chief Yasir Arafat’s mainstream El Fatah who apparently were on a mission to take Israelis hostage in exchange for the release of Palestinian prisoners. They managed to cut through the border security fence between Manera and Yiftach villages in the Galilee panhandle during the night.

When the cut was discovered at daybreak, IDF infantry and helicopters began a search of the region where many Israeli civilians were spending the Passover holiday. The IDF suffered its fatalities when a squad came under fire at short range from a concealed position. Another patrol stormed the position, wiping out the terrorist gang.

Weapons found on their bodies included pistols, hand grenades, shoulder-launched missiles and battle gear, along with food and water, Also found were leaflets with the Fatah emblem demanding the release of security prisoners. The gang is believed to have come from Sidon in south Lebanon and probably sheltered in Lebanese villages before they entered Israel.

Maj, Gen Yossi Peled, commander of the northern front, said the presence of Syrian troops in Sidon, in support of Lebanon army units, put pressure on the south Lebanon security zone. Hezbullah guerrillas, denied freedom of movement in the north, were focusing on the security zone which is manned largely by the SLA, he said.

Reports from Lebanon Sunday said Israeli artillery bombarded 14 villages north of the security zone Saturday night, causing a number of casualties and heavy damage to property.