Israel fears Hezbollah will resume attempts to abduct its soldiers to use as “bargaining chips.” “Our working assumption is that there are ongoing efforts to kidnap soldiers,” Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz told Israeli army officers during a tour of the northern border garrison Tuesday. “I know you are aware of this, but it’s important that this awareness trickle down to the last of the soldiers.” Israel lost three soldiers to a lethal Hezbollah ambush in 2000, though leaders of the Lebanese militia said they had intended to capture them alive. The soldiers’ bodies were repatriated last year in exchange for Israel’s release of hundreds of Arab security prisoners. Tensions on the Israel-Lebanese border flared last week, with Hezbollah and Israeli forces exchanging fire. There were no casualties. Mofaz said Israel would continue to exercise restraint in its retaliation.
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