The Lebanese military says Israeli ground troops have crossed the demarcation line between Israel and Lebanon set by the UN, known as the Blue Line, for the first time, advancing some 400 metres into Lebanese territory near the village of Yaroun.
The troops then withdrew again, the army said.
Hours earlier, the Shiite militia Hezbollah, which is fighting against Israel’s army in the area, reported direct clashes with Israeli ground troops for the first time.
The Israeli military confirmed in a statement that close-quarter combat operations were taking place in southern Lebanon for the first time.
The United Nations established the Blue Line in 2000 to monitor the withdrawal of Israeli troops from Lebanon at the time.
It is considered a temporary border as Israel and Lebanon have not yet conclusively negotiated their common border. According to a UN resolution from 2006, Israeli troops must withdraw behind this line.
