UNITED NATIONS, United States (AFP) - Israel told the UN Security Council on Wednesday that it will exercise its right to self-defence after a Hizbollah missile attack killed two Israeli soldiers.

Israeli Ambassador Ron Prosor urged the 15-member council to "unequivocally and publically condemn Hizbollah" in a letter also sent to Secretary-General Ban Ki Moon.

"Israel will not stand by as Hizbollah targets Israelis," wrote Mr Prosor.

"Israel will not accept any attacks on its territory and it will exercise its right to self-defence and take all necessary measures to protect its population."

A Spanish UN peacekeeper was killed when Israel responded with air and ground strikes on southern Lebanon.

The Israeli envoy demanded that Hizbollah be disarmed and that Lebanon abide by its commitments to do so under UN resolutions.

Israel occupied parts of Lebanon for 22 years until 2000 and the two countries are still technically at war.

In 2006, Israel fought a bloody war against Hizbollah that killed more than 1,200 people in Lebanon, mostly civilians, and some 160 Israelis, mostly soldiers.