Israeli strike kills Lebanese soldier, wounds 3

TYRE, Lebanon, July 31 (Reuters) An Israeli drone fired a rocket at a Lebanese military jeep near an army post in south Lebanon today, killing one soldier and wounded three, security sources said.

They said the jeep was part of a military convoy driving to the post in Qasmiyeh village north of the port of Tyre.

In Jerusalem, an Israeli army spokeswoman confirmed the strike on the vehicle but said it initially suspected that a Hizbollah member involved in attacks against Israel was inside.

''An investigation later revealed that an officer and soldiers from the Lebanese army were hit, and they were not the target of the attack. Therefore the army expresses regret about the event,'' she said.

Israel began a 48-hour suspension of air strikes on south Lebanon after an air strike on the village of Qana killed at least 54 civilians. The army said it reserved the right to strike at rocket launchers if Hizbollah fired at Israel.

REUTERS SP RK1950