Hezbollah kills Israeli soldier

The attack ended a lull in cross-border violence

An Israeli soldier has been killed and another wounded by the militant Hezbollah group on the Lebanese border.

The soldiers' armoured bulldozer was hit by rocket fire in what the Israeli army called a "very serious" attack.

Hezbollah said the vehicle had crossed into Lebanese territory, while Israel said the vehicle was clearing mines on Israeli soil.

It is the first outbreak of violence on the border between Israel and Lebanon in almost two months.

Hezbollah fired an anti-tank missile at the bulldozer, destroying it completely.

"The bulldozer was directly hit," a statement on Hezbollah television said.

Israeli army radio said the bulldozer was on the Israeli side of the border, clearing bombs planted by the guerrilla movement, when it was hit.

The chief of Israel's northern command, Major-General Benny Gantz, said the attack was "very serious", adding: "We are weighing our steps."

Israel withdrew from southern Lebanon in May 2000 after an occupation lasting 22 years, but Hezbollah claims Israel continues to occupy Lebanese territory in the tiny Shebaa Farms area.

Aerial incursion

Earlier on Monday, Israeli warplanes crossed into Lebanese air space several times in a row, breaking the sound barrier over the south and the north-east of the country.

Hezbollah said it fired its anti-aircraft guns at the jets.

In the past such fire has been the source of shrapnel falling into Israel itself and has caused injuries.

The United Nations has repeatedly condemned Israel's over flights of Lebanon, as well as Hezbollah's armed actions on the border.