Hizbullah Attacks in the North; Two IDF Soldiers Missing

IDF sources state that seven soldiers are dead and two missing along the Lebanese border in the wake of a multi-pronged attack by Hizbullah terrorists on IDF positions Wednesday morning.

Lebanon's Al-Manar television station claimed that the two soldiers were taken captive by the Hizbullah attackers. Al-Manar is the on-air mouthpiece for the Lebanese terrorist group. Qatar-based Al-Jazeera also reported that Hizbullah attackers struck Israeli military outposts, taking captive two IDF soldiers at around 8:30 Wednesday morning. An IDF spokesperson later confirmed the reports.

With information of the missing soldiers, air force planes took to the air, striking bridges and escape routes in southern Lebanon in an effort to prevent the Hizbullah kidnappers from taking their Israeli captives deeper into enemy territory.



IDF Chief of Staff Dan Halutz stated that "the period of quiet" has ended for Hizbullah in Lebanon. Military sources said that the Israeli retaliation to the Hizbullah attack and apparent kidnapping of IDF soldiers will be extremely strong.

Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said, "These are difficult days for Israel and its citizens," adding that there are forces trying to test Israel's resolve. "They will fail and will pay a heavy price for their deeds," said the prime minister. He spoke to reporters Wednesday morning, as he hosted Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi, who is visiting the region.

Obviously the "Roadmap to Peace" is history.

Olmert is being tested and I am willing to bet he does an about face and does some serious butt kicking all around.

UPDATE: Per CNN
Israeli troops enter Lebanon

Israeli troops entered southern Lebanon today after reports that Hezbollah guerrillas had abducted two Israeli soldiers along the border with Lebanon, according to the Israel Defense Forces. Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert declared the attack "an act of war," and vowed that the Israeli response "will be very, very, very painful."


"This morning there was an attack on civilians and soldiers in the north. At this moment there are Israeli security forces operating inside Lebanon," Olmert told reporters.

"The government will convene this evening for a special cabinet meeting. I want to make clear that the events this morning are not a terror attack but an operation of a sovereign state without any reason or provocation."

The Israeli Cabinet is scheduled to meet at 7 p.m. (noon ET), according to Olmert's office.