BAALBEK. Lebanon. Mar 2: Despite a quiet day along the Israel-Lebanon border, residents in both countries remain fearful of renewed hostilities foilowing a deadly guerilla attack on Israeli troops over the weekend. reports AP.

The tensions began after a roadside bomb killed Brig-Gen Erez Gerstein and three other Israelis — including a journalist —- in south Lebanon on Sunday. Two rockets, fired from Unidentified guerillas in Lebanon, also hit an Israeli neighbourhood, slightly injuring one woman.

The death of Gerstein prompted airstrikes against the Iranian-backed Hezbollah guerilla group.

Israeli warplanes roared into Lebanon on Monday for a second straight day. No new bombing runs were reported, although- sonic booms and the

rumble of distant warplanes could be heard in Beirut, the capital.

But the fear remained.

Crowds were smaller than usual at the main market in Baalbek, a city of 200.000 located 100 kms north of Israel’s border. Parents also kept their children home from school.

In the northern Israeli town of Kiryat Shmona. colourful balloons decorated the shopping mall Monday, but the residents who would have been celebrating the Jewish holiday of Purim were crowded in bomb shelters, fearing more fighting with Hezbollah Lebanese guerillas.

Israel carved out a "security zone" in south Lebanon in 1985 to protect its northern settlements from attack. Hezbollah fighters are determined to force the Israelis out of Lebanon.