JERUSALEM (EJP)--- The EU, the British government and other European political leaders have joined a chorus of international condemnation of the kidnapping of two Israeli soldiers by Lebanese terrorist organisation Hizbollah on Wednesday.

IDF troops entered Lebanon on Wednesday for the first time since Israel pulled out of Southern Lebanon in 2000. Three Israeli soldiers were killed by Hizbollah in the attack.

Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert described the raids as an "act of war" by Lebanon and said its government would bear the consequences.

Later Wednesday the Israeli army said it had attacked 17 targets in southern Lebanon, among them Hezbollah terror organization posts, three bridges in southern Lebanon and additional terrorist targets.

The escalation in the north of Israel came as Israel continued its operations in the Gaza Strip, in the West of the country, following the kidnap of IDF Corporal Gilad Shalit more than two weeks ago.

UK and EU concern

Operation Summer Rains, the first major Israeli action in Gaza since Israel’s disengagement from the region last summer, has received much criticism in the international arena.
But European leaders were quick to condemn the Lebanese group its unprovoked attack on Israel.

UK Foreign Office Minister, Kim Howells MP released a statement expressing the British government’s concerns.

UK Foreign Office Minister, Kim Howells

“We condemn this morning’s infiltration and rocket attacks by Hizballah on northern Israel. We are particularly concerned by reports that Israeli soldiers may have been kidnapped or killed,” Howell’s said.

He added: “Hizballah’s actions will further escalate an already tense situation in the region. A further escalation is in no one’s interest. We call on all parties to take actions to promote a rapid and peaceful resolution of the crisis and urge that any Israeli action be both measured and proportionate.”

EU spokeswoman Emma Udwin said the European body "unreservedly" condemned the kidnapping.

"We’re extremely concerned," Udwin said. "There has been a very serious incident. The Israeli soldiers must be released immediately, in safety.”

French and German condemnation

Paris also released a statement condemning the Hizbollah terrorists for the kidnapping, as well as the Palestinian terrorists for continuing their rocket strikes on Israel.

France’s foreign minister Philippe Douste-Blazy said on Wednesday he was worried about a “cycle of violence where civilian populations would be the first victims” and called on “all parties to show restraint.

"I am very concerned about the latest developments on the Israel-Lebanon border," Douste-Blazy said. "I condemn the rocket strikes this morning on the town of Kiriat Shmona. I also condemn the kidnapping of two Israeli soldiers and I ask for their immediate and unconditional release,.”

A German foreign ministry spokesman echoed Douste-Blazy’s feelings.

“Berlin urges the immediate and unconditional release of the two soldiers, whose capture triggered an Israeli assault on southern Lebanon,” the spokesman said. "In view of this irresponsible escalation in an already tense situation in the region, the danger exists that any agreed solution in the Middle East could be submerged for a long time.”