Israeli planes have carried out bombing raids on three power stations in Lebanon in response to last week's killing of five Israeli soldiers by the Hezbollah guerrilla group.

Now Israelis living near the Lebanese border are bracing themselves for Hezbollah retaliation.

Fire rises from the Jamhour power plant near Beirut after it was hit by Israeli planes. Much of the country was plunged into darkness after the three power plants were knocked out.

A Lebanese firefighter battles against the fire caused by the attack on Jamhour, which Israel said was aimed at restraining Hezbollah.

Hezbollah has made it clear that it will not be intimidated and has said Israeli soldiers remain a target for its attacks.

Israelis wake up to the news of an escalation in tension between Israel and Lebanon.

Fearing retaliatory rocket attacks by Hezbollah guerillas, many residents of the northern city of Kiryat Shmona spent the night in air raid shelters.

But while some Israelis chose to sit out the night in the shelters, people in northern towns say many people have already left the area.