Israel to expand ground offensive

In a major expansion of its ground offensive, Israel decided to send thousands more troops deeper into Lebanon, as far as the Litani River some 30 kilometres from the Israeli border, to clear out Hezbollah fighters and hold the territory until a multinational force is deployed there, senior officials said yesterday Israel also resumed its air campaign, despite a pledge to suspend such attacks for another day, following the world’s outrage over the killing of 56 Lebanese, most of them children, in an Israeli bombing over the weekend.

Warplanes pounded Shiite villages in south Lebanon and struck Hezbollah strongholds deep inside the country. Gun battles were also reported in several south Lebanon villages, and Hezbollah said four of its fighters were killed.Three Israeli soldiers were killed n heavy fighting with Hezbollah in the border village of Aita al-Shaab, the guerrilla group claimed on its television station.Israel had no immediate public comment.In a statement read on Hezbollah’s Al-Manar television, the group also said it had repulsed an Israeli incursion into the southern Lebanese villages of Adaisse and Kfar Kila, forcing soldiers back behind the border after inflicting casualties.Diplomatic efforts to end the crisis have faltered, despite increased world pressure for a ceasefire after the devastating weekend strike in the town of Qana.Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said the offensive would continue until Hezbollah has been neutralised.”We will not give up on our goal to live a life free of terror,” Olmert said.US President George W Bush also resisted calls for an immediate halt to fighting, saying any peace deal must ensure that Hezbollah is crippled.He said Iran and Syria must stop backing the Shiite militant group with money and weapons.”As we work with friends and allies, it’s important to remember this crisis began with Hezbollah’s unprovoked attacks against Israel.Israel is exercising its right to defend itself,” Bush said.Israel made the decision to expand the ground offensive at a meeting of its Security Cabinet.wn-APGun battles were also reported in several south Lebanon villages, and Hezbollah said four of its fighters were killed.Three Israeli soldiers were killed n heavy fighting with Hezbollah in the border village of Aita al-Shaab, the guerrilla group claimed on its television station.Israel had no immediate public comment.In a statement read on Hezbollah’s Al-Manar television, the group also said it had repulsed an Israeli incursion into the southern Lebanese villages of Adaisse and Kfar Kila, forcing soldiers back behind the border after inflicting casualties.Diplomatic efforts to end the crisis have faltered, despite increased world pressure for a ceasefire after the devastating weekend strike in the town of Qana.Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said the offensive would continue until Hezbollah has been neutralised.”We will not give up on our goal to live a life free of terror,” Olmert said.US President George W Bush also resisted calls for an immediate halt to fighting, saying any peace deal must ensure that Hezbollah is crippled.He said Iran and Syria must stop backing the Shiite militant group with money and weapons.”As we work with friends and allies, it’s important to remember this crisis began with Hezbollah’s unprovoked attacks against Israel.Israel is exercising its right to defend itself,” Bush said.Israel made the decision to expand the ground offensive at a meeting of its Security Cabinet.wn-AP