New Israeli thrust triggers south Lebanon battle

BEIRUT, July 30 (Reuters) Hizbollah guerrillas battled Israeli forces making a new thrust into southern Lebanon today, Lebanese security sources said.

The sources said the fighting erupted when the Israelis crossed the border from the Israeli village of Metula towards the Shi'ite Muslim town of Khiam. Israeli aircraft and artillery pounded the town while guerrillas fired rockets at northern Israel, they said.

REUTERS BDP KN1124