2 Israeli soldiers killed in Hezbollah attack on Lebanon border

Israeli army confirmed Wednesday afternoon that two of its soldiers were killed near the Israel-Lebanon border by a Hezbollah missile attack.

"Earlier today, an anti-tank missile hit an Israel Defense Force vehicle in the Mount Dov area, killing two soldiers and wounding additional seven, two of them moderately," a military spokesperson said in a statement.

"The soldiers' families have been notified," the statement added.

A short while later, Hezbollah fired mortar shells at a military post in the Israeli-controlled Golan Heights and the Arab Druze village of Ragar. No injuries were reported, but a mortar shell set fire to house in the village.

The incident took place near the Shebaa Farms, a disputed zone at the intersection of borders of Israel, Lebanon and Syria.

The attack prompted Israel to launch a combined aerial and ground strikes at Hezbollah targets in southern Lebanon, a military spokesperson said.

At least fifty artillery shells were fired into southern Lebanon during the assault, Israeli media said. The strikes killed a Spanish UNIFIL soldiers.

UNIFIL, a UN peace keeping force in Lebanon, is trying to broker a ceasefire which will prevent further escalation in the volatile border.

Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu warned Hezbollah that a larger Israeli attack may follow.

"Israel Defense Force is prepared to act strongly on all fronts," Netanyahu said shortly before an emergency meeting he summoned with the military's senior command to discuss possible further steps.

Over the past week, Israel has been on high alert in the northern borders, fearing possible retaliation by Hezbollah over an airstrike last Sunday, which killed Hezbollah operatives, including a top commander and an Iranian General.

Hezbollah, which largely controls southern Lebanon, and Israel fought a one-month war in 2006, and the two remain sworn enemies. Endit