Israel Fears Rockets May Reach Tel Aviv

Israeli warplanes targeted central Beirut for the first time during its four-day military onslaught and hit roads around Lebanon killing at least 18 people as they tried to escape the attack.

Hezbollah launched attacks the saw rockets reach the resort town of Tiberias. Saturday was the first time since the 1973 Mideast war that the Sea of Galilee city has been hit. Israeli rescue services said there were no injuries, but residents were ordered to take refuge in bomb shelters and tourists streamed out of the area.

There are now fears in Israel that Hezbollah rockets may be able to reach Tel Aviv – the nation’s largest metropolitan area.

The conflict erupted Wednesday after Hezbollah kidnapped two Israeli soldiers as the militants tried to cross the border into Israel. On Saturday, Israel accused Iran – the main supporter of Hezbollah militants along with Syria – of having 100 troops in Lebanon to provide support for the militant organization.

As the deadly barrages continue, diplomatic efforts to end the conflict haven’t even really gotten off the ground.

US President George W. Bush has placed the blame on Hezbollah and has said no progress can be made until it releases the Israeli troops and lays down its arms. Prime Minister Stephen Harper echoed that sentiment earlier this week saying Israel is acting out of self-defence.

Arab foreign ministers gathered in Cairo to discuss the situation, but the talks didn’t get far as moderate states, including Saudi Arabia, denounced Hezbollah for starting the fight and the meeting resulted in squabbling.

Lebanese Prime Minister Fuad Saniora has called on the United Nations to negotiate an immediate cease-fire.

In a television address to Lebanese citizens he also promised to assert government authority across the country and suggested he might deploy the army in the south, which is virtually controlled by Hezbollah guerillas.

The Canadian government is advising citizens not to travel to Lebanon and Canadians already there have been advised to stay indoors until further notice.

There are about 10,000 Canadians registered in the country, according to the Foreign Affairs Department.

The United States Embassy in Beirut is looking for ways to get American citizens out of Lebanon after Israeli air strikes closed the airport. France was the first country to send a ferry from Cyprus to evacuate its citizens.

According to police at least 106 people, mostly Lebanese civilians, have been killed in the four-day conflict so far. Israel has attacked Lebanon’s highways, bridges and airports and has hit Hezbollah strongholds that are usually located in populated areas.

Hezbollah has answered with rocket attacks that have reached 40 kilometres into Israel from the border. On Friday night the group hit an Israeli war ship off Beirut’s coast. Israel said it was an Iranian-made radar-guided missile that was used. One Israeli soldier was killed and three are missing.