Israeli soldier killed, two civilians wounded in South Lebanon

Israeli warplanes attacked Lebanese areas in Southern Lebanon on July 6, after an Israeli soldier was killed and two Lebanese villagers were wounded in fighting, security officials said. Rocket and artillery clashes erupted in the eastern sector of Israel's self-proclaimed "security zone" in the South

More than one hour later, the Lebanese resistance was still exchanging fire with the Israeli army and their allied Lebanese militiamen, the officials said.

They spoke on the customary condition their names not be used. Meanwhile, witnesses said two Israeli jets fired at least seven at Mita and Ain Bswar Heights. Columns of black smoke could be seen rising from the stricken area.

The Israeli soldier was killed at Sojod, the officials said. Israel initially responded by sending helicopters to strafe the area, apparently wounding two villagers. One of those hurt was a 7 year old Lebanese boy, they said. Clashes occur often in the security zone, established by Israel 1985 to try to prevent cross-border resistance attacks.