Israeli ground forces entered Lebanon overnight, the Israeli military said in a statement at daybreak on Monday, but added that it was not a large-scale invasion.
Israel Radio reported that the forces were moving on the town of Bint Jbail in southern Lebanon, known as a stronghold of Hezbollah guerrillas, after a heavy artillery barrage in the area.
Over the weekend, other Israeli ground troops took control of the hilltop town of Maroun al-Ras, another Hezbollah center, after a fierce battle, the military said.
The military said its forces were operating north of Maroun al-Ras on Monday morning but would not confirm the radio report.
Israel Radio also reported that Israeli airstrikes destroyed nine rocket launchers in the area of Tyre, a Lebanese port 20 kilometres north of the Israeli border, where Hezbollah guerrillas have been firing rockets at the port of Haifa, Israel's third-largest city.
The report said one attack knocked out a 14-tube launcher that was to be used today for further rocket strikes.
Israeli military officials said that Israeli forces captured two Hezbollah fighters during the battle in Maroun al-Ras.
The officials, speaking on condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to talk to reporters, had no further details. The Israeli military had no immediate comment.
{{/usCountry}}The officials, speaking on condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to talk to reporters, had no further details. The Israeli military had no immediate comment.
{{/usCountry}}Israel Army Radio reported that the two were the first prisoners Israeli forces have taken in the current offensive.