Blast, gunfire in Israeli-occupied Shebaa Farms: witnesses

RASHAYA, Lebanon - An explosion, followed by gunfire, was heard in the Israeli-occupied Shebaa Farms district on the Lebanese-Syrian border Sunday, witnesses told AFP.
The blast struck around 5:30 pm (1430 GMT) and was followed by several bursts of gunfire before four Israeli helicopters arrived on the scene, the witnesses said.
There was no immediate riposte by Israeli artillery as is usually the case when Israeli positions in the area come under attack.
Shiite militiamen of the Syrian- and Iranian-backed Hezbollah group carry out sporadic attacks in the area.
Originally part of Syria, the Shebaa Farms are now claimed by Beirut with Damascus's blessing, but the arrangement is not recognized by Israel.

04/24/2005 16:03 GMT