The Shiite group Hezbollah claimed responsibility for a roadside bombing attack that wounded two Israeli soldiers on Tuesday. It is the first time the Lebanon-based group has claimed responsibility for an attack on Israeli soldiers since 2006.

"The Martyr Ali Hassan Haidar squad carried out the operation today, Tuesday at 2:22 p.m. (11:22 UTC)," Hezbollah-affiliated Al-Manar TV reported.

The attack took place in Shebaa Farms, an Israeli-held area of the Golan heights that became a flashpoint for clashes after 2000, as the Israeli military maintained a presence there after withdrawing from southern Lebanon.

"Two soldiers were injured by an explosive device. It was activated against them during activity near the Lebanon border," Israeli defense officials said.

Israel called the attacks "a blatant breach" of its sovereignty, and retaliated with artillery fire against two Hezbollah positions in southern Lebanon, according to army officials.

"We have proved that we responded forcefully to every attempt to harm us, be it in the north, south or any other sector," Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said during a Cabinet meeting on Tuesday, according to his office.

Just two days ago, soldiers fired on a group of people in the Shebaa Farms area who were observed to be crossing the border from Lebanon into Israel.The group reportedly fled back across the border.

Lebanese officials have not yet commented on Tuesday's attack.

Until the events of the past few days, the Shebaa Farms area had remained largely quiet since 2006, when a monthlong war between the Israeli military and Hezbollah took place. Israel and Lebanon are still technically at war.

bw/mkg (Reuters, AFP, dpa)