Israeli army troops were deployed on high alert along the northern border Thursday for fear of a possible attack by the Lebanese Hizbollah movement, said reports.
AFP quoted an Israeli military sources as saying that the Israeli army was taking "precautionary measures."
The exact reason for the high state of readiness was not clear, but the security cabinet, which met overnight Wednesday to discuss the army's withdrawal from the West Bank town of Beit Jala, was also briefed on alleged Hizbollah preparations to carry out a major attack, according to the Israeli Haaretz newspaper.
After Israel assassinated the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine leader Abu Ali Mustapha in his office in Ramallah on Monday, security sources were quoted by the paper as saying that Islamic organizations, including Hizbollah, would try to carry out revenge attacks against Israel.
Israel withdrew most of its forces from Lebanon in May 2000, following over a decade of occupation, leaving behind ruined infrastructure, orphans and minefields.
They were driven out by Hizbollah resistance fighters, and by mounting domestic pressure to end the military venture.
Israel continues to occupy the Shabaa Farms area along its border with Lebanon, and refuses to relinquish control of Syria's Golan Heights – Albawaba.com
© 2001 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
