Lebanon says 1,000 dead or missing in war

BEIRUT, Aug 7: Israel's 27-day-old offensive against Hizbollah in Lebanon has killed 925 people, mostly civilians, and left 75 missing and presumed dead, Lebanese Health Minister Mohammad Khalifeh said today.

Khalifeh told Reuters about a third of the dead were children under the age of 13.

A running toll kept by Reuters puts the death toll at 773 people, but it does not include the bodies recovered from air strikes sometimes days or even weeks later.

The Israeli army says it has killed more than 400 Hizbollah guerrillas but Lebanese security sources put the figure at around 90.

REUTERS