Israel blames Syria for capture of Israeli soldiers

Israel threatened Syria with retaliation if eight Israeli soldiers captured Saturday and held in a Syrian-controlled area of Lebanon are not returned soon.

''Israel has 20 ways to retaliate against Syria for this act,'' Deputy Prime Minister David Levy said on Israel army radio. It was not clear whether the Israeli soldiers were abducted by Palestinian guerrillas based in Syrian territory or by Syrian troops. Israeli army radio quoted a leftist militia radio in Beirut saying a group called the Joint Forces of Palestinian and Leftist Lebanese Fighters was responsible for the abduction.