Hizbollah says destroys Israeli tank in Lebanon

BEIRUT, Aug 4 (Reuters) Hizbollah said its guerrillas destroyed an Israeli tank and battled infantry units in fierce fighting in south Lebanon today, killing or wounding a number of soldiers.

Lebanese security sources said the guerrillas detonated roadside bombs and fired anti-tank rockets and assault rifles at Israeli forces occupying seven small enclaves in south Lebanon.

Hizbollah said it was battling soldiers who had tried to launch an incursion near Markaba, just inside Lebanon, after midnight. It said it had inflicted several Israeli casualties.

Four Israeli soldiers were killed in similar fighting yesterday.

Israel said it had so far carved out a zone containing 20 villages 6 to 7 km (3.7 to 4.3 miles) from the border and the army said it had a plan to clear a 15 km (9 mile) security area in southern Lebanon, if authorised.

Israel already has some 10,000 soldiers in southern Lebanon.

REUTERS KR PM1224