Hezbollah bombings in southern Lebanon kill 4 Israeli soldiers
At least 7 people wounded in roadside blasts
May 30, 1996
Web posted at: 4:05 p.m. EDT (2005 GMT)MARJAYOUN, Lebanon (CNN) -- Four Israeli soldiers were killed and at least seven people wounded on Thursday by roadside bombs that exploded as a convoy of jeeps drove through the occupied southern Lebanon town of Marjayoun. Hezbollah guerrillas claimed responsibility for the blasts, which occurred 15 minutes apart. A Lebanese nurse and a television cameraman were also wounded, Israeli security sources said. (1.4M QuickTime movie [This video contains graphic footage])
The dead Israelis were the first killed in southern Lebanon since Israel's April 11-27 bombardment of Lebanon intended to crush Hezbollah (Party of God) guerrillas attacking Israeli troops and civilian settlements.
Marjayoun houses the headquarters of Israel's 1,200-strong occupation force as well as the main barracks of the 2,500-member South Lebanon Army (SLA).
2 bombs, minutes apart
The first bomb exploded as three Israeli jeeps drove past, wrecking one of them and setting it ablaze, witnesses said. A second blast at almost the same spot 15 minutes later caused more casualties, including the nurse and cameraman.
Two soldiers in one vehicle suffered shrapnel wounds and were evacuated by a military helicopter to Israel. One of them later died, security sources said.
Israeli troops and the Israeli-backed SLA sent reinforcements to the area and sealed off the scene.
Israel occupies 440 square miles of southern Lebanon as a "security zone" to guard against cross-border guerrilla attacks.
The Associated Press and Reuters contributed to this report.
Related stories:
- Israel shells south Lebanon after Hezbollah attacks - May 12, 1996
- U.S. promises Israel anti-missile system - May 2, 1996
- Israel contemplates pullout from Lebanon - May 2, 1996
- Lebanon mourns U.N. camp victims - April 30, 1996
Related sites:
- Struggle for Peace page
- CNN Faces of Conflict: Israel Chronology
- Reference documents on peace in Israel
- The Mideast Peace Process
- Information Regarding Israel's Security
- Kukai Roadhouse: Lebanon
- Lines in the Sand: Breaking News
- CIA World Factbook
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