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| Hezbollah Attack Kills Israeli Soldiers Near Lebanon, Raising Fears of Escalation | |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| JERUSALEM — Two Israeli soldiers were killed and seven wounded in a missile attack Wednesday as they drove in a disputed zone along the Lebanese border, Israel said, in the most serious flare-up in the area in years. Hezbollah claimed responsibility. | JERUSALEM — Two Israeli soldiers were killed and seven wounded in a missile attack Wednesday as they drove in a disputed zone along the Lebanese border, Israel said, in the most serious flare-up in the area in years. Hezbollah claimed responsibility. |
| The attack raised the risk of a further escalation between Israel and Hezbollah, the Lebanese militant group that is one of Israel’s most tenacious enemies. Both sides lobbed rockets and artillery at each other for hours afterward, though a tense quiet prevailed by midafternoon. | The attack raised the risk of a further escalation between Israel and Hezbollah, the Lebanese militant group that is one of Israel’s most tenacious enemies. Both sides lobbed rockets and artillery at each other for hours afterward, though a tense quiet prevailed by midafternoon. |
| Hezbollah, which had vowed to avenge a deadly Israeli strike on its fighters in southern Syria earlier this month, said in a statement that its Quneitra Martyrs Brigade had carried out the missile strike at 11:35 a.m. | Hezbollah, which had vowed to avenge a deadly Israeli strike on its fighters in southern Syria earlier this month, said in a statement that its Quneitra Martyrs Brigade had carried out the missile strike at 11:35 a.m. |
| The flare-up shattered a fragile calm that has mostly held along the frontier since the monthlong war between Israel and Hezbollah in 2006. | The flare-up shattered a fragile calm that has mostly held along the frontier since the monthlong war between Israel and Hezbollah in 2006. |
| A Spanish soldier serving with the United Nations peacekeeping force in southern Lebanon was also killed during the clashes and Spain was expected to demand investigation into the circumstances of the death. José Manuel García-Margallo, Spain’s foreign minister, told reporters on Thursday that once his government had enough information about how the soldier had died, “its hand will not shake when it comes to demand full responsibilities” for the killing. | A Spanish soldier serving with the United Nations peacekeeping force in southern Lebanon was also killed during the clashes and Spain was expected to demand investigation into the circumstances of the death. José Manuel García-Margallo, Spain’s foreign minister, told reporters on Thursday that once his government had enough information about how the soldier had died, “its hand will not shake when it comes to demand full responsibilities” for the killing. |
| The peacekeeper was killed in an explosion at a United Nations base near the village of Ghajar, said Andrea Tenenti, a spokesman for the force, who said all the parties knew the locations of the bases. The United Nations has not determined whether the fire was Israeli, and an investigation was underway, Mr. Tenenti said. | The peacekeeper was killed in an explosion at a United Nations base near the village of Ghajar, said Andrea Tenenti, a spokesman for the force, who said all the parties knew the locations of the bases. The United Nations has not determined whether the fire was Israeli, and an investigation was underway, Mr. Tenenti said. |
| Lt. Col. Peter Lerner, a spokesman for the Israeli military, said the military had conveyed its condolences over the death of the Spanish soldier and was investigating the circumstances. | Lt. Col. Peter Lerner, a spokesman for the Israeli military, said the military had conveyed its condolences over the death of the Spanish soldier and was investigating the circumstances. |
| Colonel Lerner said the Israeli soldiers had been traveling in unarmored, unmarked, white vehicles — an Isuzu D-Max truck and a Citroen Berlingo van — on a road civilians also use, about a mile from the border, when they were hit by five antitank missiles fired from less than three miles away. The two soldiers killed were in the first vehicle, which was hit, and the wounded soldiers exited their vehicle to take cover. | Colonel Lerner said the Israeli soldiers had been traveling in unarmored, unmarked, white vehicles — an Isuzu D-Max truck and a Citroen Berlingo van — on a road civilians also use, about a mile from the border, when they were hit by five antitank missiles fired from less than three miles away. The two soldiers killed were in the first vehicle, which was hit, and the wounded soldiers exited their vehicle to take cover. |
| There were “civilian vehicles also in the vicinity,” Colonel Lerner said. Three areas of the Golan Heights were closed to civilian traffic into the evening. | There were “civilian vehicles also in the vicinity,” Colonel Lerner said. Three areas of the Golan Heights were closed to civilian traffic into the evening. |
| About an hour after the initial attack on the soldiers’ convoy, several mortar shells were fired at Israeli military positions in the border area and on Mount Hermon in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, without causing injury. | About an hour after the initial attack on the soldiers’ convoy, several mortar shells were fired at Israeli military positions in the border area and on Mount Hermon in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, without causing injury. |
| The Israeli military said that it had responded to the attacks with combined aerial and ground strikes on what it called “Hezbollah operational positions” in Lebanon, and that it might take further action. Israeli government and military leaders were meeting for consultations. | The Israeli military said that it had responded to the attacks with combined aerial and ground strikes on what it called “Hezbollah operational positions” in Lebanon, and that it might take further action. Israeli government and military leaders were meeting for consultations. |
| Tensions have been building up for days in the triangle of territory between Israel, Lebanon and Syria as Israel has braced for retaliation for the airstrike on Jan. 18 that killed five fighters from Hezbollah, including the son of the group’s slain military commander, Imad Mughniyeh, and an Iranian general. | Tensions have been building up for days in the triangle of territory between Israel, Lebanon and Syria as Israel has braced for retaliation for the airstrike on Jan. 18 that killed five fighters from Hezbollah, including the son of the group’s slain military commander, Imad Mughniyeh, and an Iranian general. |
| On Tuesday, at least two rockets fired from Syria struck the Israeli-controlled portion of the Golan Heights, without causing injury. Israel responded with artillery toward the suspected launching sites, and overnight it carried out airstrikes in territory under the control of the Syrian Army. | On Tuesday, at least two rockets fired from Syria struck the Israeli-controlled portion of the Golan Heights, without causing injury. Israel responded with artillery toward the suspected launching sites, and overnight it carried out airstrikes in territory under the control of the Syrian Army. |
| Hezbollah, Iran’s ally in Lebanon, is now fighting in the Syrian civil war on the side of President Bashar al-Assad’s government, further complicating matters and increasing the risk of Israeli entanglement. | Hezbollah, Iran’s ally in Lebanon, is now fighting in the Syrian civil war on the side of President Bashar al-Assad’s government, further complicating matters and increasing the risk of Israeli entanglement. |
| “Whoever is behind today’s attack will pay the full price,” said Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel. He also said the Lebanese and Syrian governments “share responsibility for the consequences of the attacks emanating from their territories against the State of Israel.” | “Whoever is behind today’s attack will pay the full price,” said Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel. He also said the Lebanese and Syrian governments “share responsibility for the consequences of the attacks emanating from their territories against the State of Israel.” |
| Israel’s hard-line foreign minister, Avigdor Lieberman, told his Chinese counterpart during a visit to Beijing that Israel should “change its approach” and respond to the missile attack “in a very harsh and disproportionate manner,” according to a statement on Mr. Lieberman’s Facebook page. | Israel’s hard-line foreign minister, Avigdor Lieberman, told his Chinese counterpart during a visit to Beijing that Israel should “change its approach” and respond to the missile attack “in a very harsh and disproportionate manner,” according to a statement on Mr. Lieberman’s Facebook page. |
| Israel has accused Hezbollah of trying to build a new front against it, with Iran’s help, in the Syrian-controlled part of the Golan Heights. Israeli analysts said that with its actions, Israel was sending a clear message to Iran and Hezbollah that it would not tolerate such a change in the status quo. | Israel has accused Hezbollah of trying to build a new front against it, with Iran’s help, in the Syrian-controlled part of the Golan Heights. Israeli analysts said that with its actions, Israel was sending a clear message to Iran and Hezbollah that it would not tolerate such a change in the status quo. |
| “Until now our relations with Assad were based on a deal of quiet in the Golan Heights in exchange for Israel refraining from intervening in the civil war,” said Professor Efraim Inbar, director of the Begin-Sadat Center for Strategic Studies at Bar-Ilan University. “Now this has changed. We have seen that Assad is no longer willing or able to prevent Hezbollah activities in the Golan. So all the options are open.” | “Until now our relations with Assad were based on a deal of quiet in the Golan Heights in exchange for Israel refraining from intervening in the civil war,” said Professor Efraim Inbar, director of the Begin-Sadat Center for Strategic Studies at Bar-Ilan University. “Now this has changed. We have seen that Assad is no longer willing or able to prevent Hezbollah activities in the Golan. So all the options are open.” |
| Professor Inbar listed three possibilities: a quick end to the hostilities, a war of attrition along Israel’s northern frontier or an escalation. | Professor Inbar listed three possibilities: a quick end to the hostilities, a war of attrition along Israel’s northern frontier or an escalation. |
| Israel has long been preparing for what it views as an inevitable next round against Hezbollah, and Professor Inbar said Israel could exploit the current situation as an opportunity to strike at Hezbollah’s arsenal of missiles. But he said Mr. Netanyahu was “usually cautious in matters of war.” | Israel has long been preparing for what it views as an inevitable next round against Hezbollah, and Professor Inbar said Israel could exploit the current situation as an opportunity to strike at Hezbollah’s arsenal of missiles. But he said Mr. Netanyahu was “usually cautious in matters of war.” |
| Entering into a full-scale confrontation ahead of Israeli elections scheduled for March 17 would, he said, also be “a gamble.” Mr. Netanyahu, who is viewed by many Israelis as having strong security credentials, is competing for a fourth term in office. | Entering into a full-scale confrontation ahead of Israeli elections scheduled for March 17 would, he said, also be “a gamble.” Mr. Netanyahu, who is viewed by many Israelis as having strong security credentials, is competing for a fourth term in office. |
| Israeli military analysts had predicted that Hezbollah would attempt revenge by targeting Israeli soldiers, but that it would avoid directing attacks at Israeli civilians to reduce the likelihood of a full-scale war. Still, several retired Israeli military generals said that Wednesday’s exchange was more serious than previous ones, and that it might be difficult to avoid further escalation. | Israeli military analysts had predicted that Hezbollah would attempt revenge by targeting Israeli soldiers, but that it would avoid directing attacks at Israeli civilians to reduce the likelihood of a full-scale war. Still, several retired Israeli military generals said that Wednesday’s exchange was more serious than previous ones, and that it might be difficult to avoid further escalation. |
| Israel Ziv, a reserve major general who once led the army’s operations directorate, said in a call with international journalists, “It’s very clear that, very easily from events and retaliation, we will find ourselves in a war that does not belong to Israel.” | Israel Ziv, a reserve major general who once led the army’s operations directorate, said in a call with international journalists, “It’s very clear that, very easily from events and retaliation, we will find ourselves in a war that does not belong to Israel.” |
| The missile attack on Wednesday took place in Shebaa Farms, an area known as Mount Dov in Israel. Lebanon considers it occupied by Israel, and Syria also claims it. Israel captured the area, along with the adjacent Golan Heights, in the 1967 war and later annexed both regions in a move not recognized by the United Nations. | The missile attack on Wednesday took place in Shebaa Farms, an area known as Mount Dov in Israel. Lebanon considers it occupied by Israel, and Syria also claims it. Israel captured the area, along with the adjacent Golan Heights, in the 1967 war and later annexed both regions in a move not recognized by the United Nations. |
| The attack had echoes of the cross-border raid by Hezbollah in 2006 that precipitated the war that summer, which left more than 1,000 Lebanese and roughly 160 Israelis dead. At the time, Hezbollah fired an antitank missile at an Israeli border patrol. Three soldiers were killed and two others, badly wounded, were seized and taken into Lebanon, where they died. Five more Israeli soldiers were killed as they gave chase. | The attack had echoes of the cross-border raid by Hezbollah in 2006 that precipitated the war that summer, which left more than 1,000 Lebanese and roughly 160 Israelis dead. At the time, Hezbollah fired an antitank missile at an Israeli border patrol. Three soldiers were killed and two others, badly wounded, were seized and taken into Lebanon, where they died. Five more Israeli soldiers were killed as they gave chase. |
| The remains of the captured soldiers were returned to Israel in a prisoner exchange in 2008. | The remains of the captured soldiers were returned to Israel in a prisoner exchange in 2008. |
| Shortly before the assault on Wednesday, a Hezbollah fighter in the Bekaa Valley of Lebanon said by telephone that residents were storing food, fearing an Israeli attack. | Shortly before the assault on Wednesday, a Hezbollah fighter in the Bekaa Valley of Lebanon said by telephone that residents were storing food, fearing an Israeli attack. |
| Hezbollah, the Shiite paramilitary group that is Lebanon’s most powerful fighting force and political party, had several motivations in responding to the Jan. 18 airstrike that killed its fighters: It is eager to prove that the Syria battle has not hurt its ability to check Israel on the southern border; and its loyalists have demanded revenge for the death of Jihad Mughniyeh, a popular fighter whose father, a prominent Hezbollah commander, was assassinated in 2008. | Hezbollah, the Shiite paramilitary group that is Lebanon’s most powerful fighting force and political party, had several motivations in responding to the Jan. 18 airstrike that killed its fighters: It is eager to prove that the Syria battle has not hurt its ability to check Israel on the southern border; and its loyalists have demanded revenge for the death of Jihad Mughniyeh, a popular fighter whose father, a prominent Hezbollah commander, was assassinated in 2008. |
| Hezbollah’s deputy leader, Naim Qassem, declared that the attack was an Israeli attempt to impose “a new equation” on the conflict in Syria, one that could not go unanswered. He also called it proof of what Hezbollah has long contended, that Israel is supporting insurgents in Syria to weaken that country, a longtime Israeli enemy. | Hezbollah’s deputy leader, Naim Qassem, declared that the attack was an Israeli attempt to impose “a new equation” on the conflict in Syria, one that could not go unanswered. He also called it proof of what Hezbollah has long contended, that Israel is supporting insurgents in Syria to weaken that country, a longtime Israeli enemy. |
| The group could also have been under pressure from Iran, which provides the bulk of its weapons, to avenge the death of the Iranian general. | The group could also have been under pressure from Iran, which provides the bulk of its weapons, to avenge the death of the Iranian general. |
| Analysts had predicted that Hezbollah would try to keep its response proportional, to avoid a repeat of the 2006 war with Israel that devastated much of south Beirut and southern Lebanon. Neither Israel nor Hezbollah wants a new war, analysts say, as each faces security threats elsewhere. | Analysts had predicted that Hezbollah would try to keep its response proportional, to avoid a repeat of the 2006 war with Israel that devastated much of south Beirut and southern Lebanon. Neither Israel nor Hezbollah wants a new war, analysts say, as each faces security threats elsewhere. |
| In Israel, the main television stations broadcast live all day on the events in the north, much as they did during last summer’s 50-day war against Hamas in Gaza. | In Israel, the main television stations broadcast live all day on the events in the north, much as they did during last summer’s 50-day war against Hamas in Gaza. |
| Across southern Lebanon and south Beirut, Hezbollah loyalists celebrated with sweets after Wednesday’s attack and said they were not afraid of retaliation. Some smoked tobacco water pipes near the border, saying they wanted to watch the shelling, and others went about their lives as usual. | Across southern Lebanon and south Beirut, Hezbollah loyalists celebrated with sweets after Wednesday’s attack and said they were not afraid of retaliation. Some smoked tobacco water pipes near the border, saying they wanted to watch the shelling, and others went about their lives as usual. |
| In the southern Lebanese town of Srifa, a resident who described herself as a Hezbollah loyalist and mother in a family that lost a house in the 2006 war spent the day enjoying a lavish lunch with relatives. She identified herself only by her first and middle name, Aya Haidar, to avoid repercussions when traveling abroad. | In the southern Lebanese town of Srifa, a resident who described herself as a Hezbollah loyalist and mother in a family that lost a house in the 2006 war spent the day enjoying a lavish lunch with relatives. She identified herself only by her first and middle name, Aya Haidar, to avoid repercussions when traveling abroad. |
| Asked to describe her feelings, she said: “Overwhelmed. Happy. Proud. And truthfully, a bit scared.” | Asked to describe her feelings, she said: “Overwhelmed. Happy. Proud. And truthfully, a bit scared.” |
| But, she added, it appeared as the day progressed that the attacks would not lead to all-out war because of what she called Israel’s wariness to challenge Hezbollah’s arsenal, which includes long-range missiles. | But, she added, it appeared as the day progressed that the attacks would not lead to all-out war because of what she called Israel’s wariness to challenge Hezbollah’s arsenal, which includes long-range missiles. |
| She called it a new era, in which “we are the scary ones, not the scared.” | She called it a new era, in which “we are the scary ones, not the scared.” |
| People were celebrating with baklava and fireworks, she said, but also hedging their bets, filling their gas tanks, just “in case.” | People were celebrating with baklava and fireworks, she said, but also hedging their bets, filling their gas tanks, just “in case.” |