August 11, 2003 -- JERUSALEM - Israeli warplanes blasted Hezbollah positions in south Lebanon yesterday, hours after the militants fired shells over the border into an Israeli town, killing a teenage boy and wounding five other people.

Planes bombed an anti-aircraft battery and later broke the sound barrier over Beirut, shaking buildings and setting off car alarms, witnesses said.

Israel branded the air raids a "warning signal" to Hezbollah after 16- year- old Haviv Dadon was killed by the mortar blast while he hung out with friends in a shopping center in the northern boarder town of Shlomi.

Hezbollah said the shelling was the result of anti-aircraft fire, and threatened more anti-aircraft attacks unless Israel halted air force flights in Lebanese airspace.

The teen was buried by thousands of angry Israeli mourners yesterday, and last night, the streets of Shlomi were deserted, with residents staying in their homes or in bomb shelters, fearing more attacks.

"We are very afraid," said resident Lara Elhai, 50. "Any moment, they could shoot at us. It´s the summer holidays, and we can´t even send our children to the pool."

The teen´s death marked the first time a civilian has been killed by Hezbollah shelling since Israel withdrew from southern Lebanon in May 2000.

Tension has heightened along the border over the past few days after the militant group, which is sponsored by Syria and Iran, began firing rockets and mortar bombs at an Israeli military post Friday.

Israel quickly complained to the United Nations and U.N. Security Council, asking Lebanon and Syria to rein in the guerrilla group.

It also appealed to the United States to put pressure on Syria to prevent violence.

Top Israeli officials charge that Hezbollah is trying to regain its influence in the Mideast and undermine the cease-fire brokered between terror groups and Israel. (Copyright 2003 NYP Holdings, Inc. 08/11/03)