Thursday, August 10 2006 11:10 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Beirut: Israel yesterday (Aug 9, 2006) decided to launch a broader offensive against the Hezbollah deep within Lebanon as diplomats at the UN strived for consensus on a peace plan held up by a demand from Arab nations for an immediate withdrawal of Israeli troops.

In a six-hour meeting, Israel's Security Cabinet approved a plan framed by Defence Minister Amir Peretz that could take troops up to the Litani river, some 30 km inside Lebanon, as part of a 30-day push targeting Hezbollah sites for launching rockets.

Even before the cabinet meeting, Israel sent columns of tanks into Lebanon and massed troops along the border with that country. Artillery units also fired heavy barrages into Lebanon.

Hezbollah responded by firing over 130 rockets at Israeli towns and cities including Jenin and Afula but caused no casualties, officials said.

Israel's move appeared to be aimed at scoring more victories against the Hezbollah before a draft ceasefire resolution is agreed on by the UN Security Council.

France and the US, which framed the draft, were re-working the document following complaints from Lebanon and Arab nations that it did not include a call for the immediate withdrawal of Israeli troops. An aide to President Jacques Chirac said France would "use all its weight to try to get things moving".

Since the fighting began on July 12, over 1,000 Lebanese and nearly 100 Israelis have been killed. The fighting was sparked by the abduction of two Israeli soldiers by the Hezbollah.