Two Soldiers Killed as Israel Besieges Hezbollah 'Capital'
Ryan R. Jones - All Headline News Correspondent (AHN) - Two Israeli soldiers were killed and another 18 were wounded Monday while besieging the Lebanese village of Bint Jbeil, known locally as "the Hezbollah capital." Israel sent two full infantry divisions and parts of an armored division against the terrorist stronghold, sparking off some of the fiercest fighting since the current crisis began nearly two weeks ago. Four of the Israeli casualties were the result of friendly fire from an Israel Air Force helicopter gunship. At least 10 Hezbollah gunmen were believed to have been killed in the fighting, though the numbers could not be substantiated, as the terror group does not release casualty figures. Speaking to reporters earlier in the day, Israel Defense Forces (IDF) Chief of General Staff Lt.-Gen. Dan Halutz said he estimated thousands of Hezbollah fighters had congregated in Bint Jbeil after fleeing other areas targeted by the Israelis. Two other Israeli officers were killed Monday when an Apache helicopter en route to Lebanon crashed under unknown circumstances before crossing the border. Israel is fighting to root out Hezbollah from southern Lebanon as thoroughly as possible before the international community steps in with an imposed ceasefire. Jerusalem believes it has between a week to ten days before that happens.
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