Several Hezbollah fighters killed in direct clashes, Israel says

The Israeli army said it had killed several members of the Iran-backed Hezbollah militia at close range in southern Lebanon on Thursday, as it continued a major incursion into the neighbouring country.

The army said its soldiers had also destroyed hundreds of the militia's weapons, including anti-tank missiles and missile launchers which had been used to target communities across the border in Israel.

Hezbollah said on Thursday that it had repelled an attempt by Israeli troops to enter an area near the coastal town of Naqoura in south-west Lebanon.

This would be the third border area of Lebanon that Israeli troops have entered or attempted to enter - in addition to the area near Naqoura, an area near the town of Maroun al-Ras further east and near Kafr Kila further north.

The information from the frontline of the fighting could not be verified.

According to security sources in Lebanon, Israeli ground troops captured a Hezbollah military post near Maroun al-Ras a few days ago. State security sources in Lebanon also said that Israeli military vehicles had been sighted near the UN soldiers that are stationed near Maroun al-Ras.