Artillery and tank battles between Israeli and Syrian forces continued on Monday (15 April) while Israel was also stepping up its patrols along its border with a second Arab nation, Lebanon.

According to the Syrians there have been more intense battles with Israeli forces near the strategic Israeli-occupied Mount Hermon in the Golan Heights and the fighting is spreading to other areas. In fighting on Sunday (14 April), described as the fierpect since the October War, Syria claimed to have killed 50 Israelis and to have shot down four. Israeli fighters, for the loss of 15 killed. A military spokesman in Tel Aviv denied the loss of the four Israeli aircraft. Syrian claims of tank and artillery battles along the entire Golan Heights front were also denied. The Israelis say they are confined to the northern sector and Mount Hermon.

Following the bitter fighting of Sunday, Monday was reported to be relatively quiet on both sides with only occasional artillery bombardments. However, Israeli patrols along the entire Golan Heights border area have been stepped up. A Syrian delegation is currently meeting wit United States Secretary of States Henry Kissinger in Washington to discuss a disengagement of Syrian and Israeli forces. Many observers believe both sides are trying to secure a position of strength along the Syrian front while the Washington talks continue.

Meanwhile, tension has increased on Israel's border with the Lebanon. It has taken on a new significance since Palestinian guerrillas based in Lebanon crossed the frontier last week, killing 18 Israelis in the village of kiryat Shmoneh. The Israeli government has warned that if there is a repetition of the raid, Israeli troops may cross the border to destroy the commando strongholds. While this would further threaten as outbreak of fighting on another front for the Israelis, it's reported that there would be no hesitation on the part of the government in Tel Aviv in carrying the threat out.

Patrols along the Lebanon border have been strengthened in case of further raids. Across the frontier Lebaness forces have fired warning rockets at Israeli fighter aircraft flying too near the border.