Israel warns of retaliation if troops are attacked

Israel warned it would not hesitate to strike back if its troops were attacked in Lebanon by Syria or by Palestinian guerrillas. In an interview with Armed Forces Radio, Lt. Gen. Rafael Eitan said Israel has no intention of starting a war but will strike if attacked. As the weather gets better in Lebanon, diplomats fear the chances for renewed large-scale fighting increase. Meanwhile, unidentified gunmen ambushed an Israeli patrol on a mountain road southeast of Beirut, killing one soldier, the Phalangist radio said.