IDF: We'll control security zone by Thursday
Some 200 soldiers of elite units raid Baalbek area Tuesday night. Senior officer says in press briefing that 15 similar operations have been carried out inside Lebanon so far. Hospital raided by forces serves as Hizbullah's 'outpatient clinic,' place for meeting with members of Iranian Revolutionary Guards
Avi Cohen
In a press briefing Wednesday, a senior officer at the General Staff spoke about the operation in which 200 soldiers of elite units raided the Baalbek area in Lebanon . Ten terrorists were killed in the operation around the hospital in Baalbek, all of them armed and wearing bullet-proof vests.
The officer was asked whether the operation at the hospital was aimed at locating intelligence information on the kidnapped soldiers, who may have been treated there before being moved elsewhere, but he refused to answer the question.
According to the officer, the Israel Defense Forces has so far carried out 15 similar operations, also 120-130 kilometers (74.5-80.7 miles) away from the border. Referring to the continuation of the war, he said that "the operational goal will be reached tomorrow morning – an operational control of the traditional security zone in the central region."
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The officer said the operation in Baalbek was planned last week to meet two objectives:
1. To deal a blow to the Dar el-Hikma hospital, which was used to cover up Hizbullah and Iranian Revolutionary Guards activities.
2. The second aim was in the Sheikh Habib neighborhood where weapons were seized and five Hizbullah terrorists were nabbed from a building situated about five kilometers from the hospital.
The hospital served as an outpatient clinic for Hizbullah .
"The minute the soldiers arrived they came under fire. There were very few people. Soldiers found disks, computers and encountered armed men. A number of cars arrived at the scene but the forces neutralized them," the officer said.
Multi-operational value
A search of the building led soldiers to weapons.
"The operations have a multi-operational value. They give us a good intelligence picture. Tonight five Hizbullah members whose ages range from 20 to 54 were kidnapped and their names are known to us," the officer said.
The officer added that the operation was not carried out to nab specific Hizbullah members.
The Baalbek operation began after midnight. Foreign sources reported that IDF soldiers were flown into Baalbeck in a bid to kidnap Sheikh Muhammad Yazbek, a member of Hizbullah's High Council and one of the group's top 12 senior members. According to the report, IDF soldiers engaged in fierce battles with Hizbullah gunmen.
Security sources in Lebanon reported that 19 people were killed in IAF strikes in Baalbek, including civilians, children and a Syrian citizen. Hizbullah reported that the Lebanese kidnapped in the operation were innocent citizens and not activists.
Referring to the reports, the officer said that the operation was not aimed at targeting one specific person. He added that other secret operations were taking place in Lebanon but refused to give details. He said the Iranian Revolutionary Guards are smuggling weapons to Hizbullah and in some cases they operate some of these weapons on behalf of the Shiite group.
The officer said despite a decrease in attempts to smuggle arms from Syria to Hizbullah, activities along the Syrian-Lebanese border are being monitored closely.
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Troops recount moments of horror
Shlomi Singer, who immigrated from US, tells Ynet about difficult moments where he carried body of killed comrade back to Israel; troops faced heavy anti-tank, rocket fire during Aita al-Shaab battle, 11 soldiers arrive in Nahariya hospital Wednesday
Hagai Einav
Recounting difficult moments: Eleven wounded IDF soldiers who suffered injuries in fierce firefights at the southern Lebanon village of Aita al-Shaab Tuesday arrived at a Nahariya hospital on Wednesday morning. The troops, who lost three of their comrades in battle, shared their difficult experiences with Ynet while still hospitalized.
Deadly Battle
3 IDF soldiers killed in Lebanon / Hanan Greenberg
(VIDEO) Cleared for publication: Three troops killed, 25 injured as Hizbullah terrorists fire anti-tank missiles at troops entering villlage of Aita al-Shaab in south Lebanon early Tuesday
Full Story
Company commander Guy Ankor, who was the first hit by Hizbullah anti-tank and rocket fire, praised his troops for their exemplary conduct.
"They fought the terrorists under heavy fire from several directions," he said. "Some of them are lying here beside me and others are continuing to fight in Lebanon. Everyone here wants to recover already and return to the unit as quickly a possible. "
Meanwhile, Shanir Turjeman told Ynet about his good friend, Michael Levin, who died in the battle.
"He was one of my best friends, a charming person who treated everyone well," Turjeman said. "Michael emigrated from the United States three years ago and distinguished himself with his understanding, caring attitude to Palestinian civilians as well, while we served at roadblocks near the Gaza Strip."
"During yesterday's battle I heard on the two-way radio that he was wounded. I recalled the conversation we had the evening before…we spoke about the girlfriends, family, and life." Turjeman recounted. "During the heavy sniper fire and constant antitank fire I lost eye contact with him. Only during the evacuation I spotted him lying there, badly injured…in fact, it took a whole day for us to reach the hospital in Nahariya – a whole day where we were under fire and hoping the Air Force arrives to shoot at them (Hizbullah) and blow them up."
Soldiers en route to Aita al-Shaab (Photo: AP)
Turjeman said troops made their way back to Israel on foot initially while carrying the wounded and dead, before being picked up by military vehicles. A few minutes after reaching the hospital's underground emergency room in Nahariya, he got a chance to speak with his father for the first time.
"Dad, I'm fine. I was wounded in Lebanon but those are only light wounds, just shrapnel in the forehead and damage to the leg, I'm fine. By the time you arrive from the South to visit me I'll surely be released. I Love you," Turjeman told his concerned father.
'Willing to sustain injuries just to beat Hizbullah'
Shlomi Singer, who moved to Israel from the US with his family in 1991, said he always dreamt of joining the IDF. Singer was the one who carried Michael Levine before he succumbed to his wounds during the evacuation operation.
"It's a difficult sight, but you see around you friends and commanders being wounded," he said. "We were under heavy fire in one of the houses in the village. You have to be focused and are trying at all times to protect yourself and the friends lying next to you."
"Despite the criticism leveled at the operation, I must say everyone's motivation is high and many are willing to fight and even sustain injuries just so we beat Hizbullah and bring back the peace to communities in the North," Singer said. "I emigrated from the US and I view my service in the Israel Defense Force as a mission."
Meanwhile, all soldiers at the hospital are said to be suffering from light wounds. They are undergoing a series of tests and are expected to remain hospitalized for several days while their wounds are treated.
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