OCCUPIED JERUSALEM: Israel said it had repelled an attempt by "terrorists" to penetrate its territory on Monday, opening fire on the gunmen just after they crossed the frontier with Lebanon.

The clashes came after days of reported heightened tensions in the area between Israel and Hezbollah, but the Lebanese Shia movement denied any involvement in Monday's unrest.

Israel's army said a group of three to five men armed with assault rifles crossed the Blue Line that divides Israel and Lebanon in the disputed Mount Dov area, claimed by Lebanon, Syria and Israel as their own. Israeli army spokesman Jonathan Conricus said that despite the area being forested, spotters had tracked the group as they approached the Blue Line.

"Once they crossed the border, we engaged," he said.

There was an exchange of fire between the gunmen and Israeli forces, which did not result in any Israeli casualties, Conricus said. Hezbollah, which has a large presence in the area where the incidents occurred, said in a statement that "it did not take part in any clash and did not open fire in today's events.