"Some 140 rockets were fired from Lebanon within an hour starting at 1:02 pm (1002 GMT)," an Israeli army spokeswoman told AFP.

Hezbollah said it fired barrages of rockets at Israeli army bases in retaliation for strikes on south Lebanon, as tensions soared after thousands of communication devices were remotely detonated by Israel across southern Lebanon, killing dozens and injuring thousands, including civilians.

The group said it launched "salvos of Katyusha rockets" against at least six Israeli "army headquarters" and bases, including a "main air defence base".

Israel has not commented on the blasts that rocked Lebanon this week.

For nearly a year, Israel's army has been focused on its brutal assault in Gaza, but its troops have also been engaged in near-daily exchanges with Hezbollah resstance fighters.

The cross-border exchanges of fire have killed hundreds in Lebanon, including civilians, and dozens in Israel, including soldiers. Tens of thousands of people on both sides of the border have been forced to flee their homes.

*This story was edited by Ahram Online.