Israelis back campaign, survey shows

JERUSALEM - The vast majority of Israelis support the country's offensive in Lebanon aimed at crippling Hizbollah and many also believe the guerrilla group's leader should be assassinated, a poll showed yesterday.

The survey, by the mass-circulation Yedioth Ahronoth daily newspaper, showed 86 per cent of Israelis believed the Army's attacks on Lebanon were justified.

It said 58 per cent of Israelis believed the offensive should continue until the Army killed Hizbollah chief Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah. Only 17 per cent said Israel should stop fighting and start negotiations.

The Israeli offensive in Lebanon has killed more than 200 people, mostly civilians.

- REUTERS