Fighting on Lebanese border after mortar kills Israeli soldier

TEL AVIV — At least one Israeli soldier was reported killed and two others were injured in an explosion along the Lebanese border in what could open a new military front for the Jewish state.

The blast by the Iranian-backed Hizbullah movement took place in the disputed Shebaa plateau on Friday. A Hizbullah statement in Beirut said all members of the Israeli patrol were either killed or injured.

A senior Israeli official acknowledged that anti-tank missiles were fired at an Israeli military patrol, but refused to acknowledge casualties.

Israeli troops responded to the blast and sources said fighting ensued in the border area with Lebanon. They said Israeli helicopters and artillery fired into southern Lebanon.

Lebanese security sources said one Israeli soldier was killed and two others were injured when a mortar slammed into an Israeli command car.