Israeli troops and Hezbollah guerrillas are locked in fierce fighting Tuesday, after Israel's government approved an expansion of its ground offensive in southern Lebanon.

Arabic television stations quoted Hezbollah sources as saying three Israeli soldiers were killed in clashes near the border village of Aita al-Shaab.

Israeli military has not confirmed the claim. Military officials say at least 20 guerrilla fighters have been killed or wounded in clashes just north of the Israeli-Lebanese border in the villages of Taibe, Adayseh and Rob Thalatheen.

Fighting also is reported around the town of Bint Jbail - the site of last week's heavy combat in which nine Israeli soldiers were killed.

Lebanese security officials said today Israeli aircraft bombed targets across the southern part of the country, attacked a road in the northeast connecting Lebanon to Syria, and also hit the village of Hermel considered a Hezbollah stronghold.

The Israeli army says three Hezbollah rockets launched overnight hit a village in Israel, but caused no casualties.

Rocket attacks against civilian targets in Israel have declined markedly in the past two days.


Senior Israeli officials say their troops will push into Lebanon as far as necessary, to create conditions for a multinational force to deploy in the border region. Some officials say the operation might take another week to 10 days.

Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert ruled out an immediate cease-fire on Monday, saying Israel's offensive will continue until the threat of further Hezbollah rocket attacks is eliminated.

Syrian President Bashar Assad told his army Monday to increase its readiness, to cope with what he called "regional challenges." Mr. Assad said Syria will not interrupt its support for Lebanon.