BLITZ ON BEIRUT; Israeli attack on Lebanon kills 53.

Byline: By Sam Ghattas

WARPLANES blitzed Beirut airport yesterday as Israel stepped up its devastating offensive against Lebanon.

Missiles hit all three runways, forcing the airport to shut. Later, a second raid on the site caused more damage.

Hundreds more targets, including dozens of bridges, were hit as the Israelis reacted to the kidnapping of two of their soldiers by Hezbollah militants based in south Lebanon.

Strike jets attacked Lebanon's main army base and a missile hit a Hezbollah TV station.

Israeli warships blockaded Lebanese ports and stopped at least three ships bound for Beirut.

At least 47 people were killed and more than 100 wounded in the Israeli attacks. Most victims are believed to be civilians.

Scores more civilians have died in a similar blitz on Gaza, following the abduction of a soldier by extremists linked to the Palestinian governing party, Hamas.

Eight Israeli soldiers have also died in the violence.

Hezbollah responded to the offensive by firing around 70 rockets into Israel.

Twenty towns and villages near the border were hit. Two Israeli civilians were killed and at least 42 others were injured.

The militants denied Israeli claims that two long-range rockets had hit the city of Haifa. If confirmed, the strike would be the deepest ever into Israel by Hezb ollah.

Lebanese ministers said they had nothing to do with the kidapping of the soldiers and did not have the strength to meet Israeli demands by taking on Hezbollah.

Social affairs minister Naila Mouawad said: "The Israeli response is too hard. The people of Lebanon have been taken hostage."

But Israel said it held the Beirut government responsible for the safety of the kidnapped soldiers.

Hezbollah want to swap the soldiers for prisoners in Israeli jails. Israel said it would not negotiate and army chief General Dan Halutz said "nothing is safe" in Lebanon until the two men are free.

One Israeli spokesman claimed Hezbollah planned to move the two hostages to Iran.

Russia, France and the European Union accused Israel of a disproportionate response to the kidnappings. Tony Blair urged all sides to show restraint.

CAPTION(S):

BLASTED: Smoke billows above the airport after the attack' STRIKE: Israeli soldiers fire artillery at targets in Lebanon