Hezbollah warns UNIFIL

Israelidefense officials believe the recent bombing of a UNIFIL convoy in Lebanon wasa warning message from Hezbollah that the peacekeeping forces scale back theiroperations against the guerilla group. Six officersfrom the French contingent were wounded on Tuesday night when a bomb explodednear convoy of four trucks traveling near the town of Sidon. Israeli defenseofficials believe with UNIFIL's mandate coming up for a renewal next monthHezbollah is concerned that the peacekeeping troops may bolster the rules of engagement. Israel hasbeen lobbying countries who send peacekeeping troops to Lebanon to get theUnited Nations to issue new rules of engagement to peacekeeping forces thatwill allow them to search villages without coordinating with Lebanese Armytroops. UNIFIL'scurrent rules of engagement require they coordinate with the Lebanese Armybefore entering south Lebanese villages.