Israeli forces detain 4 gunmen in SLebanon -army

JERUSALEM, Sep 8 (Reuters) Israeli troops today detained four armed men in a southern Lebanese village controlled by Israel since its recent offensive against Hizbollah, an army spokeswoman said.

She said the four were being questioned after surrendering to soldiers patrolling the village of Aita al-Shaab, near the Israeli border. There was no immediate word on their identities.

Israel has been gradually withdrawing forces from Lebanon after a ceasefire on August 14 halted 34 days of war triggered by a Hizbollah raid in which two Israeli soldiers were abducted.

But residents of Lebanon's southern villages said this week that Israeli incursions have continued since the truce, and that Israeli troops have also occasionally detained Lebanese men and released them after questioning.

REUTERS SBA LS RAI2238