Israeli soldiers detained a young Lebanese shepherd on Friday in a disputed area on the border between the two countries, a Lebanese security source told AFP.

"Fifteen Israeli soldiers entered Marj al-Teiss, a disputed zone which is claimed by Lebanon, and kidnapped Mohamed Yussef Zahra, an 18-year-old shepherd," the source said on condition of anonymity.

Marj el-Teiss is located in the Shebaa Farms, a mountainous area rich in water resources and located at the junction of Lebanon, Syria and Israel. The area has been occupied by Israel since the 1967 Middle East war.

Israel, which withdrew from southern Lebanon in 2000 after a 22-year occupation, has detained Lebanese shepherds in the area before but has handed them back after questioning.