Israel was inflicted at least 13 casualties in fierce fighting with
Hezbollah guerrillas in southern Lebanese town of Bint Jbeil on Wednesday
morning, local newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth reported.
On Tuesday, Israel Defense Forces (IDF) officials said that they have taken
control of Bint Jbeil, the so-called Hezbollah capital, but fighting continued
in the town.
So far, the 15-day conflict has claimed the lives of 24 IDF soldiers and 18
Israeli civilians.
According to IDF, at least 30 Hezbollah militia were killed in battles in
addition to the killing of more than 400 Lebanese civilians in Israeli
bombardment.
Meanwhile, Israel Air Force (IAF) continued to carry out air strikes on
targets in Lebanon, and 10 buildings in Beirut collapsed in air raids.
Earlier, Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert expressed deep regret over the
killing of four UN observers in an Israeli air raid on their post in southern
Lebanon late Tuesday, and promised a thorough investigation into the event.
But Olmert expressed doubt about U.N. Secretary General KofiAnnan's
accusation that the attack was intentional. In an immediate response to the
deadly raid, Annan said he was "shocked" at "apparently deliberate targeting" of
the UN post.
