For those just tuning in, a scorecard is in order: Southern Lebanon is controlled by Hezbollah and is a legal "autonomous zone" in Lebanon...which is to say that Beirut's law doesn't apply there.
Hezbollah seizes Israel soldiers
The Lebanese Shia militant group Hezbollah says it has captured two Israeli soldiers during clashes across the Lebanese-Israeli border.
The Israeli defence ministry has confirmed the two soldiers were seized by Hezbollah, Associated Press reports.
The capture occurred during morning clashes on the Israeli-Lebanese border.
Hezbollah launched dozens of Katyusha rockets and mortar bombs at the Israeli town of Shlomi and at Israeli outposts in the disputed Shebaa Farms area.
Israel said its aircraft hit Hezbollah positions in southern Lebanon after the rockets were fired and bombed a bridge.
Israeli tanks were also firing artillery rounds at southern Lebanon.
At least four people were wounded in the clashes, reports say.
The news comes as a major Israeli offensive is under way in Gaza. An Israeli soldier was kidnapped by Palestinian militants in Israel over two weeks ago. captured
Announcement of the soldiers' capture was made on Hezbollah's television channel, al-Manar.
It did not give many details about the capture operation, but the news anchor said more information would be released later.
The group says it has captured the soldiers to secure the release of detainees held in Israeli prisons.
"This operation has taken place as a kind of materialisation to the promise that Hezbollah has kept to the Lebanese, that they are going to do everything possible to make the swap," the chief news editor of Hezbollah Television, Ibrahim Moussawi, told the BBC's World TV.
"[That is] because Israelis still occupy parts of Lebanon, and still hold hostages in their prisons. Some of them have been there more than 25 years."
Hezbollah captured three Israeli soldiers in 2000 - they died during the operation, but their bodies were later exchanged for prisoners.
Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert has said that those who "try to shake Israel's determination" will "pay heavily" for their acts.
He has called a special cabinet session later on Wednesday.
For those just tuning in, a scorecard is in order: Southern Lebanon is controlled by Hezbollah and is a legal "autonomous zone" in Lebanon...which is to say that Beirut's law doesn't apply there.
IDF Ground Troops in Lebanon
12:16 Jul 12, '06 / 16 Tammuz 5766
(IsraelNN.com) The IDF has send ground troops and tanks into southern Lebanon to search for the two soldiers kidnapped by Hizbullah terrorists Wednesday morning. The military establishment also is preparing to call up reservists.
Air Force planes have bombed bridges in southern Lebanon in an effort to prevent the terrorists from fleeing into central Lebanon.