Israeli sources had no information today on reports from Beirut that the largely Syrian inter-Arab peace-keeping force in Lebanon has reached the town of Nabatiyeh, about 14 kilometers north of the Israeli town Metullah. Nabatiyeh lies inside the so-called red line, an undefined demarcation line beyond which Israel says it would not permit an Arab army.
The Syrians hitherto have carefully avoided crossing the line, even during the intense fighting in Lebanon two months ago when they marched on the port of Sidon. According to the Beirut report, Nabatiyeh was reached by a column of tanks, armored cars and auxiliary units from the Lebanese capital. The town has a population of about 26,000 mostly Moslem and was the site of a terrorist advance headquarters and logistics center.
Meanwhile, artillery and small arms fire were heard in northern Israel last night. Their source was Adeisa and Teibeh, villages in southern Lebanon near Metullah. Israeli observers believe the shooting indicated a clash between Christian Lebanese units and terrorists trying to infiltrate the border region. The clash had no effect on traffic between Lebanon and Israel through the open fence at Metullah. A group of 60 Lebanese schoolchildren and their teachers were guests of the Metullah school today.
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