BEIRUT, Lebanon, July 21 (UPI) -- Israel, despite growing criticism of its operations in Lebanon, reportedly believes its ground troops may have to get more deeply involved to fight Hezbollah.
On the ninth day of the fighting inside Lebanon, hundreds of Israeli troops were trying to destroy Hezbollah outposts and storage facilities, reports The New York Times, quoting Israeli army officials.
The report said four Israeli soldiers were killed Thursday and five others wounded in fighting in the same area north of Avivim. Two Hezbollah fighters also were believed killed.
Israeli Defense Minister Amir Peretz, who was visiting northern towns hit by scores of Hezbollah rockets, was quoted as saying, "We have no intention of occupying Lebanon but we also have no intention of retreating from any military measures needed."
He said Hezbollah must not think Israel would recoil from using all kinds of military measures against it. "You can mark one thing down: Hezbollah flags will not hang over the fences of Israel," he said in the Times' report.
Meanwhile, there was also an idea of forming a more robust international force likely made up of European troops that would help the Lebanese government move its army to the Israeli border and push back a weakened Hezbollah.
