Israel threatens severe retaliation for Lebanese guerrilla attacks

January 1, 1999
Web posted at: 8:02 p.m. EST (0102 GMT)

JERUSALEM (CNN) -- Israel is warning Hezbollah guerrillas in southern Lebanon that it will respond harshly to any attacks on Israeli towns, even if doing so escalates the violence.

Following a guerrilla rocket attack on northern Israel last week that wounded 16 people, Israel's Cabinet has adopted a new policy of retaliation. It is threatening to strike power stations, bridges and roads deep inside Lebanon if Hezbollah fires more rockets.

"We are not prepared to accept firing on our children, our people, while we sit idle with our arms crossed," said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

The Hezbollah attack retaliated for an Israeli bombing raid that killed a mother and six of her children in southern Lebanon. Israel apologized for the bombing, calling it a mistake.

Israel's Security Cabinet, an inner circle of ministers, said Israeli forces would try to avoid harming civilians but said Lebanon's government is responsible for whatever happens in southern Lebanon.

On Friday, Israel's army chief claimed Israeli soldiers had killed a top Hezbollah explosives expert earlier in the week.

Army Chief of Staff Shaul Mofaz said the bomb expert, Ahmed Mahdi, was killed Tuesday northeast of Baalbek, Lebanon, 100 kilometers (62 miles) from the Israeli border.

Hezbollah acknowledged Mahdi's death but did not confirm he had been killed by Israelis.

Israel has patrolled what it calls a "security zone" in southern Lebanon since 1985, saying its presence there is needed to protect Israeli border towns.

Hezbollah and other guerrilla groups are fighting to evict Israeli troops and pro-Israeli militias from the border region.

Netanyahu is refusing to withdraw Israeli soldiers from southern Lebanon, as recommended by his own foreign minister, Ariel Sharon, despite waning public support for the mission.

Some see Netanyahu's tough stance as political posturing before the May general elections.

"The political dimensions nowadays reflect the mood before the election period," said military analyst Ze'ev Shif. "No matter what, if someone will hit us, we will respond much stronger. Everyone wants to show his muscles."

Opposition Labor Party leaders said Israel's retaliation policy will be costly.

It is "a very stupid decision," said Labor Knesset member Yossi Beilin. "It means in 1999, more soldiers, God forbid, will be killed in Lebanon, and that civilians on both sides will pay a very high price."

The Associated Press and Reuters contributed to this report.