Israel's army may soon expand ground operations against Hizbullah in Lebanon and call up "massive" numbers of reserves, according to military sources.
Israeli media reported that thousands of soldiers were already operating inside southern Lebanon, where they have been trying to destroy Hizbullah bunkers.
The army refused to confirm or deny those reports. "It's possible that in the coming days our ground operations will increase," Brigadier-General Alon Friedman told the Maarivnewspaper.
"We have many forces, we will carry out a massive recruitment of reserves and it's possible that many more forces . . . will reach the border in the next few days."
Israel's army confirmed today that four soldiers were killed and several wounded in fierce clashes with Hizbullah guerrillas just inside Lebanon yesterday.
Ground forces command chief Major-General Benny Gantz told Maarivthat air strikes were insufficient. But he said the army did not plan a long-term incursion.
Defence Minister Amir Peretz raised the possibility of a ground offensive into Lebanon, and senior generals have repeatedly said they do not rule this out.
Israel's campaign against Hizbullah has killed at least 312 people in Lebanon, the vast majority civilians, and displaced half a million. Thirty-four Israeli troops and civilians have been killed.