Smoke billows after an Israeli airstrike on the southern Lebanese village of Sejoud. AFP
Lebanon's official National News Agency reported one girl among two killed in an Israeli strike on the southern town of Touline, amid the largest escalation of attacks since a November 27 ceasefire.
The Israeli army had said earlier Saturday that three rockets, all of which were intercepted, were fired from Lebanon into northern Israel, setting off air raid sirens in the region for the first time since November.
"Hezbollah denies any involvement in the rocket fire from southern Lebanon into the occupied Palestinian territories (Israel)," the group said in a statement, calling Israel's accusations "pretexts for its continued attacks on Lebanon".
Hezbollah said that it stands "with the Lebanese state in addressing this dangerous Zionist escalation on Lebanon".
Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam warned the country risked being dragged into a "new war" after months of relative calm.
Israeli defence chiefs said they held the Lebanese government responsible for all hostile fire from its territory regardless of who launched it.
"The Lebanese government is responsible for attacks from its territory. I have ordered the military to respond accordingly," Defence Minister Israel Katz said.
Armed forces chief Eyal Zamir warned the military would "respond severely".
NNA said Israeli air strikes and shelling had targeted several areas of the south.
UN 'alarm'
The UN peacekeeping force in Lebanon said it was "alarmed by the possible escalation of violence" following the morning's rocket fire.
"We strongly urge all parties to avoid jeopardising the progress made, especially when civilian lives and the fragile stability observed in recent months are at risk," it said.
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