Village raided by Israeli forces

Press, Volume CXV, Issue 33741, 14 January 1975, Page 14

Village raided by Israeli forces

(N.Z.P.A.-Reuter—Copyright)

HALTA (Lebanon), January 13.

Fierce fighting erupted early today when Israeli forces broke into the village of Halta, about two kilometres from the Israeli border, and blew up four houses, local residents said. They added that two civilians were wounded and taken to hospital when the Israelis shelled and attacked villages near the Lebanese-Israel border.

The resident said that the Israeli attack was made at about 1.30 a.m. and a clash developed with commandos in the area. Other- Israeli forces combed the area between Halta and Kfar Shouba, scene of an Israeli operation early yesterday. Commandos intercepted the Israelis north of Kfar Shouba, the residents added. The fighting lasted for more than an hour, during which the Israelis reached a house north of Kfar Shouba and blew it up. Army headquarters in Tel Aviv said that Israeli troops crossed into southern Lebanon for the second successive night to hunt down Arab guerrillas. The soldiers operated in small units, combing the region of Har Dov, just across the border from the slopes of Mount Hermon in occupied Syria. They blew up four houses in one attack and clashed with guerrillas in another. One Israeli was wounded, a | spokesman said. I The Israeli was wounded in

an assault on Suba in the foot hills of Mount Dov, the spokesman said. “Fire was opened on the unit from one house at the edge of the village. The unit attacked the terrorists, hit them and blew up the house,” he said. It was not known if the people inside the house were dead or alive when the Israelis withdrew. The Army did not say how

many of the “small units” combed the area, which the Israelis call Fatahland, for guerrillas who, they say, make raids into northern Israel.