Fighters inflict casualties on Israelis--Hizbollah

BEIRUT, Aug 9 (Reuters) Hizbollah said its guerrillas had inflicted casualties on Israeli soldiers and hit three tanks in battles in southern Lebanon today.

Hizbollah fighters confronted Israeli forces as they tried to advance on the outskirts of the village of Qantara, eight km from the border, and destroyed a tank there, a Hizbollah statement said.

The group's al-Manar television said the guerrillas had killed or wounded 10 Israeli soldiers in the Qantara fighting.

The Israeli army said there had been clashes around Qantara but gave no details of casualties.

Hizbollah said it had also inflicted casualties on Israeli forces at the village of Debel, five km from the border, without saying how many.

Al-Manar also reported that Hizbollah fighters destroyed two tanks in Burj al-Muluk and Tel al-Nahas.

The Israeli army, which is trying to drive Hizbollah away from the border, says it has carved out a zone containing 20 villages up to seven km from the border.

Israel's security cabinet convened today to consider whether to send troops deeper into Lebanon to fight Hizbollah.

Israel already has about 10,000 soldiers in the south.

REUTERS PB BS1334