Winnipeg Free Press

Winnipeg Free Press (Newspaper) - August 11, 2006, Winnipeg, Manitoba A20 Mideast in crisis Winnipeg free press Friday August 11, 2006 Israel grabs key ground delays push northward by Christopher Torchia i Blel Sari Lebanon ? Israel grabbed strategic High ground in South Lebanon yesterday but delayed a major push northward As diplomats cited Progress toward agree ment on a in ceasefire Resolution that could soon go to a vote. An israeli Soldier was killed and two were wounded in fierce Battles with Hezbollah guerrillas yesterday a Day after the israeli military suffered its worst one Day military loss with 15 sol Diers killed. More than 800 people have died in the monthlong conflict including 715 in Lebanon. With israeli troops closer to Beirut than at any time since the War began diplomats said they were close to unlock ing the stalemate Over a in Effort toward a ceasefire. The . Ambas Sador to the in John Bolton said there was the possibility of a vote today. The United states and France have been trying to Bridge differences Over a timetable for an israeli withdrawal from Lebanon. Israeli ground troops took control of the mainly Christian town of Marj Ayoun before Dawn and blasted away through out the Day at strongly fortified Hezbollah positions in several directions. A huge explosion rocked the Centre of the town and the surrounding country Side about Sunset and a big fire could be seen raging from a Vantage Point in Ibl Al Sari about three Kilometres to the East. By taking Marj Ayoun the israeli army was closer to Beirut than at any time since the fighting began july 12 after a Cross Border raid in which Hezbollah captured two israeli soldiers and killed three. At the same time the army was still within about eight Kilometres of the israeli Border. Marj Ayoun which sits near major Road junctions in the South lies due North of Israel a Galilee pan handle that juts North into Lebanon. Marj Ayoun was used As the command Centre for the israeli army and its Allied lebanese militia during an 18-year occupation of South Lebanon that ended in 2000. The High ground around Marjay Oun including the Village of Blatt Over looks the Litany River Valley one of the staging Sites for Hezbollah a relentless rocket assaults on Israel. Diplomatic efforts had stalled As the lebanese called for israeli troops to Start pulling out once hostilities end and Beirut sends 15,000 troops of its own to the South while Israel has insisted on staying in Southern Lebanon until a robust International Force is deployed which could take weeks or months. We be closed some of the areas of Dis agreement with the French . Ambassador to the in John Bolton said. Suggestions that a new Resolution was in the works also emerged. A new proposal is being drafted which has positive significance that May bring the War to an end israeli member of parliament Otoniel Schneller quoted israeli prime minister Ehud Olmert As saying. But if the draft is not accepted there is the Cabinet the israeli Security Cabinet authorized Olmert to expand the current offensive in Lebanon but israeli officials said they would hold off to give diplomacy More time to work. Broadly speaking the .-French draft Security Council Resolution called for a cessation of hostilities and the deployment of the lebanese army into Southern Lebanon to the israeli Border in co operation with in peacekeepers who Are already there. As the lebanese Start deploying the israeli army will begin withdrawing according to coun cil diplomats. Meanwhile Russia circulated a draft in Security Council Resolution yester Day calling for a 72-hour humanitarian ceasefire Russia Sun ambassador said. Vitaly Churkin said the crisis in Lebanon was too urgent to wait for negotiations on a separate .-French Secu Rity Council Resolution seeking a permanent ceasefire. ? associated press ;