Israel: May 22, 2000

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Israeli aircraft did not attack Hezbollah positions  in southern Lebanon  after  Hezbollah attacked  Israeli positions in South Lebanon. But South Lebanon Army (SLA, pro-Israeli militia) desertions have left a quarter of the Israeli zone in Hezbollah hands. SLA men and their families are either fleeing to Israel or surrendering to Hezbollah under promise of amnesty. The others are being hunted down by black uniformed Hezbollah teams equipped with lists of names. Villages being abandoned by Israeli troops have resulted in situations where returning refugees are sometimes fired on by retreating Israelis (who don't know if Hezbollah gunmen are among the civilians.) So far, at least five civilians have been killed and 17 wounded in these encounters.