Israeli soldiers look through the sights of their weapons from a position in northern Israel overlooking the Israeli-Lebanese border, 03 Aug 2010.

Israeli version of events

The Israeli army says its troops came under sniper fire during a routine operation on Israel's side of the frontier. An Israeli battalion commander was killed and another officer seriously wounded.

Army spokesman Avi Benayahu told Israel Radio this was an unprecedented provocation by the Lebanese Army and a blatant violation of ceasefire agreements.

Lebanese version of events

The Lebanese military says its soldiers opened fire when the Israelis strayed across the border to cut down a tree. Lebanon accused Israel of aggression and said the army would act to defend the nation's sovereign borders.

Israel's reaction was swift. Troops responded with light arms fire and artillery. Then a helicopter fired missiles at several Lebanese armored vehicles. Three Lebanese soldiers and a journalist were killed.

Fighting is rare

It was the most serious clash on the border since the Lebanon War four years ago, when Israel battled the Islamic guerrilla group Hezbollah. But fighting between the Israeli and Lebanese armies is extremely rare.

The UN peacekeeping force in South Lebanon, UNIFIL, sought to calm tensions. UNIFIL spokesman Andrea Tenenti: "The important aspect of what we have been doing today, our immediate priority, was to restore calm in the area; and we are still urging both parties to exercise maximum restraint."

The head of Israel's northern command said he does not expect an escalation. The general said the Lebanese Army asked for a cease-fire, and therefore, he believes this was a "one-time event."

exchange fire:交火

sniper: a person who shoots at somebody from a hidden position（狙擊手）

battalion: a large group of soldiers that form part of a brigade （軍隊的）營

blatant: (of actions that are considered bad) done in an obvious and open way without caring if people object or are shocked（壞的行為）明目張膽的；公開的

escalation: （戰(zhàn)事）升級

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（來源：VOA 編輯：陳丹妮）