Israel kills 27 Lebanese villagers in convoy attack

Update: The number of civilians of the convoy killed including women and children rose from 12 to 27 according to local witnesses - follow 'read more' below

At least 12 Lebanese villagers, including women and children, were killed Saturday in what appeared to be an Israeli air strike on a convoy of vehicles fleeing a village near the border with Israel in southern Lebanon, a witness said.

The convoy was leaving the border village of Marwaheen, when it was attacked. An Associated Press photographer said he counted 12 bodies in two cars that were destroyed by the attack shortly after midday.

Several hours earlier, Israeli forces across the border told villagers by loudspeaker to leave the area or else the village would be destroyed. They did not give a reason for the ultimatum.

The convoy of several vehicles was hit near the border fence less than half a mile from the village.

The residents said they had first gone to a U.N. peacekeepers position manned by Ghanian forces to take refuge but they were turned down. There was no immediate confirmation from U.N. peacekeepers, who have a force in southern Lebanon. Read more