Israeli warplanes raided a suspected guerrilla hideout in southern Lebanon on Wednesday, shortly after Hezbollah gunners fired on Israeli jets that violated Lebanese airspace, security officials said.
The Lebanese officials in southern Lebanon, speaking on condition of anonymity, said two Israeli fighter jets fired at least one missile at a valley near the village of Zibqine, southeast of the southern port city of Tyre.
Hezbollah officials in southern Lebanon said at least four air-to-surface missiles were launched in the afternoon attack.
Black smoke billowed from the area. There was no immediate word on casualties.
The Israeli airstrike, the first in southern Lebanon since March, came two hours after Hezbollah anti-aircraft guns fired on Israeli warplanes that flew over southern Lebanon.
Earlier on Wednesday, the Israeli army said shells from Hezbollah anti-aircraft fire landed on an Israeli community along the border.
It said no one was hurt.
The last Israeli airstrike in Lebanon was on March 23, when Israeli helicopter gunships fired on gunmen in southern Lebanon, killing two and wounding one. The gunmen were preparing to launch rockets into Israel, according to Lebanese security officials.
The south Lebanon front has been largely quiet since Israel withdrew its forces from southern Lebanon in 2000 after an 18-year occupation.
Hezbollah, which waged a guerrilla war against the Israelis, has repeatedly clashed with Israeli soldiers in the disputed Chebaa Farms area near the border. Israel has launched airstrikes and artillery attacks against guerrilla positions. — Sapa-AP