Hezbollah rocket barrage misses target, strikes civilian ship

Latest developments in the ongoing conflict in the Middle East:
A Hezbollah rocket barrage aimed at Israeli warships missed their target and struck a civilian ship in the Mediterranean Sea, Israeli military officials said early today.
Hezbollah rammed an Israeli warship with an unmanned aircraft rigged with explosives Friday, setting it ablaze after Israeli warplanes smashed Lebanon's links to the world one by one and destroyed the headquarters of the Islamic guerrilla group's leader.
The toll in three days of clashes rose to 73 killed in Lebanon and at least 12 dead Israelis as international alarm grew over the fighting, and oil prices rose to above $78 a barrel.
At the United Nations, Lebanon accused Israel on Friday of launching "a widespread barbaric aggression" aimed at bringing the small Mideast nation to its knees and urged the international community to end the military offensive.
In addition to the fighting in Lebanon, Israel pressed ahead with its offensive in the Gaza Strip against Hamas, striking the Palestinian economy ministry offices early today.
Complete details on Page A3