3 Israeli Soldiers Die in Hezbollah Raid

An Israeli mobile artillery piece fires towards southern Lebanon near the Israeli army post of Zaura Wednesday July 12, 2006. The Israeli Defense Ministry confirmed the capture of two Israeli soldiers by Lebanese guerrillas on Wednesday, and said it held the Lebanese government 'directly responsible' for their fate and safe return. 'The Lebanese government is responsible for the fate of the Israeli soldiers, and must take immediate action to locate them without harming them and return them to Israel,' the ministry said in a statement. (AP Photo/Avihu Shapira) (Avihu Shapira - AP)

JERUSALEM -- The Israeli army said Wednesday that three of its soldiers were killed in a Hezbollah raid in which two other soldiers were captured. The army withheld news of the deaths for several hours while the soldiers' families were notified.

Following the raid, Israel sent ground troops into Lebanon in hopes of rescuing the captured soldiers. Israeli airstrikes and artillery fire also hit targets in southern Lebanon.