Israel also alleged that Hezbollah gunners covered the squad's retreat by firing mortars from close to a school in a village north of the zone.

The April cease-fire accords were designed to protect civilians on both sides of the border. Firing from residential areas by Hezbollah was also banned under the accord.

Lebanese newspapers and Hezbollah itself rejected Israel's complaint. An Israeli negotiator described the atmosphere of the seven-plus-hour talks as what "you would expect at talks," adding that the Syrians seemed indifferent at best.