Israelis Push Deeper in Search for Comrades; Foes Reinforced

About 1,200 Israeli troops thrust north to the Litani River today in search of two captured comrades, a U.N. official said, while hundreds of Palestinian guerrillas moved south from Beirut to beef up Muslim forces harassing the task force.

Between two and four Lebanese were killed in an encounter at the village of Haris, according to conflicting accounts, raising fears of major clashes between Israeli forces and the largest Shia Muslim militia.

Timur Goksel, spokesman for the U.N. observer force in south Lebanon, said the Israeli force searched 10 villages today including Froun, on the banks of the Litani about 15 miles north of the Israeli border.

Lebanese security sources said a total of 25 villages have been searched in three days by the Israeli force, which is is equipped with tanks, helicopter gunships and warplanes and assisted by the Israeli-backed South Lebanon Army militia.

At least 250 fighters from pro-Syrian Palestinian groups based in the Shouf Mountains outside Beirut were taking up positions near the port of Sidon, 24 miles south of Beirut, said senior officials of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine General Command.

The Palestinians, whose presence increased the risk of a major confrontation with the Israelis, were on hand to join with Lebanese Muslim guerrillas who are seeking to harass the task force.