Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's cabinet early on Tuesday approved the expansion of the army's ground operation in south Lebanon.
JERUSALEM: Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's cabinet early on Tuesday approved the expansion of the army's ground operation in south Lebanon, hours after the premier vowed there would be no early ceasefire in the offensive against Hezbollah.
“The cabinet gave the green light for expanding the ground operation in Lebanon," a government official said.
Several hours before the four-hour long cabinet meeting, Olmert said the army would press on with the operation despite a backdrop of mounting calls for a halt the conflict that has killed hundreds of people in Lebanon.
"The fighting is continuing," Olmert told a meeting of mayors in Tel Aviv. "There is no ceasefire and there will be no ceasefire in coming days."
He also warned that Israel's war on Hezbollah would end only when the militant
Shiite group ceased being a threat.
“We will end it when the threat over our heads is removed, when our kidnapped soldiers return to their homes and when we can live in security," Olmert said.
Israeli forces launched new ground attacks into southern Lebanon on Tuesday but were beaten back by Hezbollah guerrillas, the Shiite militia said in a statement.
"The Israeli forces started from Monday night until the early hours of the morning (Tuesday) to try to take control of the triangle of Aita al-Chaab/al-Qaozah/Ramie villages but Hezbollah fighters confronted them ... forcing them to retreat," it said.
Aita al-Chaab is near the Lebanese border from where Hezbollah fighters entered Israel on July 12 and kidnapped two Israeli soldiers and killed eight others, sparking the ongoing war.
Hezbollah said fierce battles with Israeli forces backed by helicopters, fighter-bombers and heavy artillery took place during the night northeast of the village.
It said Israeli troops were trying to take control of a hill overlooking all three villages. The Israeli cabinet earlier on Tuesday approved the expansion of the army's ground operation in southern Lebanon, from where Hezbollah has been launching rockets into Israel.
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