8,000 Israeli Troops Pour Into Lebanon…

MIDEAST CRISIS TICKER: Iranian Leader Calls For Muslim Resistance Against US The “Great Satan” And “Zionists”… Hezbollah Fires Record 190 Rockets Deep Into Israel… Israeli Death Toll At 55, 1 American Killed… Poll: Israelis Support Incursion…Israel: No Cease-Fire…Syrian President Tells Army To Raise Readiness… Iraqi VP: Israel Is Carrying Out “Massacres”…Jerusalem Post: US Interested In Israeli Attack On Syria…

Associated Press HAMZA HENDAWI August 2, 2006 at 12:08 PM
READ MORE: Israel

Israel pressed the first full day of a massive new ground attack, sending 8,000 troops into southern Lebanon on Wednesday and seizing five people it said were Hezbollah fighters in a dramatic airborne raid on a northeastern town. Hezbollah retaliated with its deepest strikes yet into Israel, firing a record number of more than 160 rockets.

Diplomatic efforts faltered, with France saying it will not participate in a Thursday U.N. meeting that could send troops to help monitor a cease-fire between Israel and Hezbollah. France, which may join or even lead such a force, said it does not want to talk about sending peacekeepers until fighting halts and the U.N. Security Council agrees to a wider framework for lasting peace.

READ WHOLE STORY