Israeli jets also struck roads leading to Syria and eastern Lebanon.

Resitance

Hezbollah fighters said in a statement that they had beaten back some of the advances in southern Lebanon.

"The Israeli forces started from Monday night until the early  hours of Tuesday morning 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."

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.

The movement said Israeli troops were trying to take control of a hill overlooking all three villages.

Hezbollah has also said it has destroyed an Israeli warship off the coast of Tyre.

Israel has denied the claim.

The Israeli army said it had killed 20 Hezbollah fighters in southern Lebanon over the past 48 hours.

An army spokeswoman said: "We have killed 20 Hezbollah terrorists during the past two days in the sectors of Taibe and Al-Adeissa."

Hezbollah said it had lost three men during the fighting.

Further advance