21.   Two Israeli jets later fired six air-to-surface missiles and returned to base safely, he said from Jerusalem on customary condition of anonymity.

22.   A government helicopter and launches were despatched to the area on Wednesday after a reported sighting of sharks by some people there, but returned to base empty-handed.

23.   The explosion occurred late Friday as the troops were returning to base in after concluding an operation against Tamil Tiger rebels in the Vakarai region, military sources said.