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JERUSALEM-Security has been stepped up on overseas Israeli flights for fear of a revenge attack over the assassination of a suspected terror mastermind, security officials said.Israel has denied responsibility for the Feb. 12 car bombing that killed Imad Mughniyeh of the Lebanese Hezbollah guerrilla group.But Hezbollah and its Iranian backers have blamed Israel, and Hezbollah has vowed revenge.The number of air marshals on Israeli planes servicing certain destinations has been increased and more security personnel have been assigned to surround aircraft before takeoff and on landing, officials said Friday.Some flights in Europe and southeast Asia are escorted by helicopters upon takeoff and landing, they said.The beefed-up security applies to El Al Israel Airlines, Arkia and Israir. The new precautions were reported Friday in Israel's Yediot Ahronot newspaper and confirmed by security officials. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss security procedures.Israel plans to install missile-deflecting systems on some commercial aircraft, but the newspaper reported that none have yet been fitted with the shields.In 2002, Islamic militants launched shoulder-fired missiles at an Israeli passenger jet outside Mombasa, Kenya. The rockets missed, but spurred Israel to find a way to protect its airliners with a defense system similar to that used by its air force.As in the days of Noah...
