Israel has lodged a complaint with the UN force insouthern Lebanon and had heightened its state of preparednessalong the border in response to the killing of an IDF soldier by a Lebanese military sniper, spokesman Peter Lerner said.
"We will not tolerate aggression against the State ofIsrael, and maintain the right to exercise self defense againstperpetrators of attacks against Israel and its civilians," hesaid.
Lebanese sources said they had lost contact with theLebanese soldier after the shooting, which took place at thewestern tip of the border region across which Israel and theLebanese Hezbollah militia fought a 34-day war in 2006.
The UN force, UNIFIL, said they had been informed about "aserious incident" at the border.
"We are now trying to determine the facts of what happenedand the situation is ongoing," spokesman Andrea Tenenti said."UNIFIL's force commander is in contact with counterparts in theLebanese and Israeli army, urging restraint."