(July 17, 2006)—A rocket fired Monday from Lebanon struck a hospital in the Israeli city of Safed, security officials said.

The strike was the latest in a relentless exchange of attacks by Lebanese militants and Israeli forces.

Earlier Monday Israel said it has defused a significant threat by destroying a Hezbollah missile capable of hitting Tel Aviv.

Israel's prime minister is vowing to destroy Lebanon’s entire "terrorist infrastructure" until two Israeli soldiers are freed and Hezbollah rockets are silenced.

Meanwhile dozens of Americans have been able to escape the bombs falling on Lebanon by boarding US military helicopters bound for Cyprus.

The US military says a commercial cruise ship escorted by a US destroyer will be available to ferry hundreds more away from the fighting on Tuesday.

Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, in an impassioned speech to parliament Monday, said no mercy will be shown to the Lebanese militants unless two captive Israeli soldiers are freed and Hezbollah stops its rocket attacks.

Olmert said a deployment of the Lebanese army is also among Israel's demands for a cease-fire.

More News >>Sports >> Weather >>