WAZZANI, Lebanon: Israeli troops traded fire with the Lebanese Army Monday after crossing the Blue Line into south Lebanon, a military source told The Daily Star. No casualties were reported.

A security source in south Lebanon said a seven-man unit belonging to the Israeli Army crossed the Blue Line after day break Monday, a few meters into Lebanon’s Wazzani River area, prompting the Lebanese Army to open fire.

During their retreat, Israeli troops fired at a Lebanese Army outpost but no casualties were reported, the security source told The Daily Star.

The U.N. Interim force in Lebanon confirmed that shots had been exchanged around 7 a.m., but not whether Israeli troops had crossed the Blue Line.

“UNIFIL peacekeepers immediately responded to the location in order to contain the situation and prevent any escalation. The firing has since ceased and the situation in the area is quiet,” a statement from spokesperson Neeraj Singh said.

The news comes ahead of celebrations to commemorate Lebanon’s Army Day.

UNIFIL dispatched about 15 patrols to the Wazzani River, and the Lebanese Army also sent reinforcements.

Senior officers from both the Lebanese Army and UNIFIL were examining the scene of the Israeli violation of the Blue Line.

A team from the U.N. truce supervision organization also arrived at the site.

Officials in Israel said Israeli and Lebanese troops exchanged fire on the countries' border.

The Israeli military said Lebanese army soldiers on Monday fired on Israeli troops operating in Israeli territory, provoking the Israeli soldiers to return fire.

Israeli military officials say Israel wants "to contain the situation and maintain the calm at the border."

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, speaking before the parliament's defence and foreign affairs committee, repeated that message, saying Israel "does not want an escalation on the Lebanese border," an official told AFP.

Speaking before the closed session, which the official described on condition of anonymity, Netanyahu defended the decision of Israeli troops to fire back.

"When fire is directed at our soldiers, it is normal that they respond," the official quoted the premier as saying. – With agencies.