Hezbollah guerillas attack Israeli positions

Hezbollah shelled Israeli positions in the disputed Chebaa Farms near the border today, and Israeli artillery returned fire in the heaviest exchange in months between Israel and the Lebanese guerrilla force.

The Shiite Muslim guerrillas fired about 15 shells and rockets at Israeli positions in the area, and Israeli forces retaliated with shelling at the suspected source of fire near the Lebanese village of Kfar Chouba, witnesses said. The Israelis fired a barrage of around 45 shells, they said.

An Israeli army spokesman said guerrillas fired at least six shells at army positions in the north and that the military responded with artillery. The spokesman said there were no casualties from the Hezbollah attack.

Hezbollah’s Al-Manar television said the attack was in retaliation for Israeli attacks on Lebanese territory.

The volley came after days of sporadic shelling by both sides, which began when Israel mistakenly fired an artillery shell into Lebanon earlier this week while clearing explosives planted by the guerrillas near the border. The Israeli army said the shell fell in an open area, causing no damage or casualties.

The increase in tensions comes amid political turbulence in Lebanon. Hezbollah’s ally Syria withdrew its troops from Lebanon last month, weakening Damascus’s hold in the country – while Hezbollah has been seeking a greater political role.

The guerrilla group’s years-long confrontation with Israel has been a major source of its popularity in Lebanon, even outside the country’s Shiite community.