New Israeli incursion in southern Lebanon-UN

BEIRUT, Aug 1 (Reuters) Israeli troops crossed the border into a new area of southern Lebanon today and pounded towns and villages in two other zones, the United Nations peacekeeping force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) said.

''We have just had a report about some limited forces, IDF forces (Israeli Defence Forces), crossing the border at Houla,'' a UNIFIL spokesman said, referring to a village in Lebanon.

Hizbollah said in a statement its guerrillas were engaging the Israeli forces in fierce fighting near the Lebanese village of Aita al-Shaab. It said it destroyed an Israeli tank and military bulldozer in the area.

There was no immediate comment from the Israeli army.

Reuters DKA RN1438