Three soldiers of the Israel-backed South Lebanon Army were killed Monday when a remote-controlled explosive charge detonated in their midst in the southern Lebanon security zone.
Two soldiers and a Lebanese civilian were injured by the blast, for which the mainstream Shi’ite militia, Amal has claimed credit.
But Israeli military sources are convinced the extremist Shi’ite fundamentalist Hezbollah was responsible.
Gen. Yitzhak Mordechai, the Israel Defense Force commander for the northern region, said Monday that the pro-Iranian Hezbollah has become the most serious challenge to security in the region.
The attack was the deadliest in recent weeks against the SLA, a largely Lebanese Christian militia trained, equipped and financed by Israel.
The SLA retaliated with a four-hour artillery barrage, lobbing 55 mm. shells at Shi’ite villages in southern Lebanon. At least five villagers were killed and 11 wounded.
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