Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert says his country will continue its fight against Hezbollah and warned there will be no ceasefire in the coming days.
Speaking Monday in Tel Aviv, Mr. Olmert said Israel's offensive in Lebanon will end when the threat of Hezbollah rockets is removed and when the two Israeli soldiers captured by the guerrilla group are returned.
He spoke as Syrian President Bashar Assad called on his army to raise its readiness to cope with what he called "regional challenges." Mr. Assad also pledged not to abandon support for Lebanon.
In the current offensive, Israeli warplanes have bombed the highway that links Lebanon and Syria.
Early today-Tuesday, news reports quoting unnamed Israeli sources said Israel's security cabinet had approved expanding the country's ground offensive against Hezbollah guerrillas in Lebanon.
On Monday, Israel carried out limited attacks on suspected Hezbollah positions in southern Lebanon, while suspending most other aerial bombing after agreeing to a 48-hour cessation of airstrikes.
The Israeli army expressed regret for a strike that killed a Lebanese soldier Monday. Israel says it thought the car carrying the soldier was carrying a senior Hezbollah guerilla.
And Hezbollah says its missiles hit an Israeli warship off the coast of Lebanon. Israel denied the claim.
Information for this report is provided by AP, AFP and Reuters.
