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| Israeli Prime Minister
Ehud Olmert has said, he sees the beginning of a process that could lead
to a cease-fire in Lebanon, saying Hezbollah guerrillas will not threaten
the Jewish state again. Meanwhile, fighting continues, adding casualties
to both sides. (Photo: CCTV) |
BEIJING, August 2-- Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert
has said, he sees the beginning of a process that could lead to a cease-fire in
Lebanon, saying Hezbollah guerrillas will not threaten the Jewish state again.
Meanwhile, fighting continues, adding casualties to both sides.
On Tuesday, Prime Minister Olmert signaled a
cease-fire could be on the horizon.
His comments came as international pressure mounts
for a cease-fire, and the United Nations tries to pave the way for an
international peacekeeping force in south Lebanon.
Olmert said he never promised the people of Israel
that its offensive would destroy all of Hezbollah's missiles. But he said the
threat from the Shi'ite group had been massively reduced.
Olmert also boarded an Israeli vessel to help rally
the military, saying its actions had long-lasting implications.
Meanwhile, heavy fighting raged in the Lebanese
border village of Aita al-Shaab. Hezbollah television Al-Manar said 35 Israeli
soldiers had been killed or wounded in the clash.
Israel had no immediate public comment on its
casualties there. But reports from Israel have claimed some 20 Hezbollah
fighters were killed.
Elsewhere, the Israeli army said three of its
soldiers were killed in fighting in the south. Hezbollah said it launched
multiple rockets at Matzuva in northern Israel. And the Israeli army said five
of its soldiers were wounded there.
Television reports have also aired footage of
captured Israeli equipment.
Three weeks after the start of the war, Israel's
security cabinet has agreed to step up its offensive, entailing a ground sweep
six to seven kilometers into Lebanon.
Israel has also said it will resume full air strikes
in Lebanon early on Wednesday, at the end of a partial, 48-hour
suspension.
(Source: CCTV.com)
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