Rocket barrage rains fear in dozen towns

HAIFA - A fresh Hizbollah rocket barrage across a swathe of northern Israel killed one person and wounded at least 14 others, medics said.

A man in the town of Nahariya was killed just after he had helped some of his family into a bomb shelter and was returning for others when a Katyusha hit him, Israeli media said.

Eli Bein, director of the Magen David Adom ambulance service, said the sight was reminiscent of the scenes of suicide bombings as the rocket hit the man directly. "It is a terrible sight," he told Army Radio.

Rockets hit at least 12 towns and villages, including four in Haifa and at least two in Tiberias. Also hit were Safed, Acre, Kiryat Shemona, and Gush Halav region near Safed.

Israeli military officials say more than 700 Hizbollah rockets have now landed in Israel since the crisis began, killing 13 Israelis.

Israelis, stunned by Hizbollah rocket attacks, have told pollsters they want their Army to smash the guerrillas. "We are killing those we need to kill," said civilian Hanna Dehan, speaking near Haifa.

But in a sign that life goes on even under extreme pressure, the booms of Hizbollah rockets in Haifa have not distracted one couple preparing for their nuptials. Dressed in their full wedding regalia, Imad Mousa and his fiancee Anita Mishal smiled sweetly as their wedding photos were taken overlooking Haifa's crystal bay.

"I am a bridegroom under fire," Mousa said. "The noise bothers us, but what is more important than getting married?"

They plan to get married on Saturday in Mousa's village of Kfar Yasif in the northern Galilee, which has also come under attack from the Lebanese guerrillas. Mishal comes from Haifa and wanted wedding pictures from her home town.

The couple, Arab citizens of Israel, bemoaned the bloodshed. "War is bad for everyone," said Mousa.

- REUTERS