Israel 'Hits Hezbollah Bastion'

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Israel 'Hits Hezbollah Bastion'

Israeli tanks move in A major Israeli operation is under way in the Baalbek area in the Bekaa valley - a Hezbollah stronghold in north-east Lebanon - Lebanese officials say. An Israeli helicopter has landed in the area after a series of air strikes, according to Lebanese army officials. Israel has refused to comment. Israeli forces have also pushed deeper into south Lebanon aiming to set up what Israel dubs a "security zone". Israel said it would resume air strikes after a 48-hour partial halt. Earlier, Israel warned civilians north-east of Lebanon's Litani River to leave their homes. Some reports said Israel's security cabinet had decided to send troops deeper into Lebanon, reportedly as far as the river, up to 30km (18 miles) from Israel's border. Latest Mid-East crisis map Delays hit relief effort Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said Israel was "winning the battle" against Hezbollah, whom he said would never again be able to threaten the Jewish state. Mr Olmert said it was not in Israel's interest to declare an immediate ceasefire. But he added that a diplomatic process was under way which he believed would "lead in the end to a ceasefire under totally different conditions from those which existed previously on our northern border". European Union foreign ministers meeting in Brussels meanwhile called for an immediate cessation of hostilities, to be followed by a ceasefire - rather than the immediate ceasefire urged by some members. 'Aircraft over Baalbek' The BBC's Kim Ghattas in Beirut says Tuesday's Israeli operation in Eastern Lebanon started with several air strikes in the Baalbek area. Israeli views on their army's offensive in southern Lebanon In pictures The city is a Hezbollah stronghold and has been pounded by the Israelis over the last three weeks. Israeli gunships are also hovering at low altitude above hilltops overlooking the city, our correspondent says. Hezbollah spokesman Hussein Rahal told the Associated Press news agency that Israeli troops had landed at a hospital in Baalbek and engaged in fierce fighting with Hezbollah fighters for more than an hour. There is no independent confirmation of this. A Lebanese security official, speaking anonymously, told AP that the unprecedented number of aircraft above Baalbek indicated the possibility that the Israelis were trying to land. Two petrol stations in the area were also targeted and set on fire, our correspondent reports. Clashes Fierce fighting continued across southern Lebanon throughout the day, with casualties on both sides. Israel said three of its soldiers died when an anti-tank missile hit the house they were in, in the town of Ait al-Shaab. HAVE YOUR SAY Surely the lives of the innocent should take precedence Nikki, Warwickshire Send us your views In pictures: Lebanese in flight As well as the three deaths, the Israeli army said 25 soldiers had been slightly injured in the clashes. The Israelis say that they "hit dozens of Hezbollah gunmen" but could not give more details. Hezbollah said four of its fighters died in battles in Kfar Kila, Adiasse and Taibe, while a mother and her two daughters were killed in an Israeli air strike on the southern town of Lweizeh, Lebanese officials said. Fighting is also reported to have flared around the former Hezbollah stronghold of Bint Jbeil, from where Israeli troops withdrew last week.