Israeli Air Force jets destroyed a Syrian radar position in eastern Lebanon in an operation late last night. Three Syrian soldiers were reportedly killed in the attack, including an officer.

Israel Radio reported that four IAF jets struck in three sorties, firing six air-to-ground missiles at the target. All of the crews returned safely to their bases, despite Syrian anti-aircraft fire that reportedly was targeted on the planes.

The official IDF statement said "IDF airplanes attacked a

"Enough! No farther!" - IDF Spokesman Brig. Gen. Ron Kitri, on message sent to Syria

Syrian military radar in Dahar El-Bayder, north of the Beirut-Damascus road in Lebanon. The attack followed heavy fire by Hizbullah forces in the last months and this weekend, which resulted the death of an IDF soldier, Elad Litvak."

The strike was the first by Israeli warplanes on Lebanese targets since Israeli forces withdrew from the southern part of the country in May. It was also the first time the Israeli army targeted Syrian positions since 1996.

Analysts and politicians saw the attack as a clear and needed signal to Syria, which supports the Hizbullah operations in southern Lebanon.

IDF chief spokesman Brigadier-General Ron Kitri told Army Radio this morning that the message sent to Syria and Hizbullah was "in clear language that leaves no room for doubts: Enough! No farther!"

Sharon spokesman Ra'anan Gissin told Army Radio that by attacking a "quality target", Israel had set a new "price list" for retaliation for attacks on IDF troops. "Not that we are interested in using it or putting it into effect, but there is a new 'price list' which certainly points out to the Syrians that there is a need for them, for Hizbullah, and for the Palestinians as well, to make a new reassessment regarding Israel's readiness, willingness and determination to react," Gissin said.

Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Harari denounced the raids as "a grave aggression on Lebanon and Syria" and warned against widening the conflict. Harari called on the international community "to act swiftly to contain the repercussions of such tension, which could take dangerous dimensions."

The Syrian media has yet to report on the Israeli air strike. In its own statement the Hizbullah said its leaders would wait and discuss possible responses.

Residents of Israel's northern communities tensely maintained their normal routines Monday morning. Public shelters remained locked and no emergency measures were declared.

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