Guerillas from the militant group Hezbollah staged a raid into Israel Wednesday morning. Three members of the Israel Defense Forces were killed while two others were kidnapped during the raid. Israeli sources confirmed the abduction of the two soldiers and the Defense Ministry indicated it would hold the Lebanese government responsible. The kidnapping took place at approximately 9:00 AM local time.
Hezbollah, a militant group backed by Syria and Iran, released a statement offering no information about the condition of their hostages but indicated they had been 'transferred to a safe place.'
Israel quickly responded with an incursion into Lebanon and air strikes against bridges and roads in the southern part of the country.
Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert described the abduction as 'an act of war.'
'These are difficult days for the state of Israel and its citizens,' Olmert said. 'There are elements in the north and in the south who are threatening our stability and are trying to test our resolve. They will fail, and pay a heavy price for their actions.'
The kidnapping took place shortly after militants fired rockets from southern Lebanon at the Israeli town of Shlomi.
Meanwhile, Israel continued its military operations in the Gaza Strip in response to the kidnapping of Corporal Gilad Shalit by Hamas militants.
Israeli forces bombed a meeting house in the Gaza Strip used by Hamas militants. The target of the mission was reportedly Hamas bomb maker Mohammad Deif. At least six militants were killed in the bombing but Deif escaped. Israeli sources say Deif was wounded in the action but Hamas sources claim he was unharmed.
There is still no immediate prospects for the release of the 19-year-old Shalit. The identity of the two newly kidnapped Israelis was not being made available.
