8 Israeli commandos wounded in Tyre operation

Jerusalem, Aug 5: Eight Israeli commandos were wounded, two seriously, in an operation overnight against Hizbollah guerrillas suspected of firing missiles at Israel from near the Lebanese city of Tyre, the army said today.

The head of Israel's northern command, Major-General Udi Adam, told Israel Radio the operation near Tyre in southern Lebanon was also an attempt to target senior Hizbollah figures in the area. He did not give details.

An army spokesman said eight elite naval commandos were wounded in the fighting. A ''good number'' of Hizbollah fighters were killed, he added. Army radio put the number of guerrillas killed at seven.

The army spokesman said the operation was launched against guerrillas believed to be responsible for firing missiles at the Israeli city of Hadera yesterday. Israeli media said the commandos had attacked from helicopters, although the spokesman did not confirm this.

At least two Hizbollah missiles landed in open areas near Hadera, 80 km from the Lebanese border, the deepest strike inside Israel since the war began on July 12.

The spokesman said Hizbollah had used the area near Tyre for other longer-range rocket attacks on Israel.

Attack helicopters provided cover for the Tyre operation, he said.

Lebanese security sources said four civilians and a Lebanese soldier were killed in fighting in citrus groves just north of the city. Hizbollah said one Israeli soldier was killed and many were wounded in the battle.

Reuters