Fighting erupts over Shebaa Farms

Israeli tanks have remained on the Lebanese border

Fighting has erupted in southern Lebanon between Israeli forces and the Shi'a Muslim militant group Hezbollah.

An Israeli soldier died when Hezbollah guerrillas hit an Israeli tank with a Saggar missile in the disputed Shebaa Farms area, according to statements reported from both sides.

Israeli combat plans attacked Hezbollah targets due to heavy fire from the targets towards... Israeli territories

Israeli army spokesman

An Israeli army spokesman said the military returned fire after a military base in the area had come under attack.

The farms lie on the border between Lebanon and the Golan Heights which Israel seized from Syria in 1967.

The Lebanese Government and Hezbollah, which is backed by Syria and Iran, both say Israel's withdrawal from southern Lebanon will not be complete until the farms are vacated.

Retaliation

Hezbollah said Israeli troops retaliated by firing mortar shells into the mountains on the Lebanese side of the border opposite Shebaa.

Hezbollah spearheaded attacks on Israel's occupying forces

Witnesses reported Israeli helicopters and war planes overflying the area, which in part was confirmed in Jerusalem.

"Israeli air force combat plans attacked Hezbollah targets in south Lebanon due to heavy fire from the targets towards the direction of Mount Dov (Shebaa Farms) inside Israeli territories," the Israeli spokesman said.

Witnesses also said about 40 shells were fired at villages facing the Shebaa Farms, with the 155mm shells landing around the villages as well as in nearby woods.

Hezbollah, which played a key role in driving Israeli forces out of southern Lebanon last year after a 22 year occupation, has carried out many attacks on the Shebaa Farms since then.

Israel says the fate of the area should be decided in negotiations with Syria, but there has been little progress on that track.