Israel deploys Patriot missiles to stop rockets

JERUSALEM, July 15 (Reuters) Israel has deployed Patriot missile batteries in the northern city of Haifa to intercept rockets fired from Lebanon, a military spokeswoman said today.

The American made rockets had last been used in that area during the 1991 Gulf War, to protect against Scud missiles fired at Israel from Iraq.

The Lebanese guerrilla group Hizbollah fired rockets for the first time at Haifa yesterday.

''Rockets are being deployed as a means of protection against the non-stop Katyusha rocket fire,'' the army spokeswoman said.

The Israeli news Web site Ynet said two batteries had been placed in the city. Israeli authorities are concerned about rockets hitting sensitive strategic sites in the Haifa area.

Haifa had been the deepest target in Israel ever struck by Hizbollah. But yesterday Hizbollah fired two barrages of rockets at the Sea of Galilee town of Tiberias, which is further south than Haifa.

Two were hurt by the first three rockets, and another two by the second barrage, Israeli officials said.

REUTERS SI VC2116