"We are sorting out the issues," he said of the discussions in which some government ministers have objected to the Hezbollah position.

The Hezbollah positions had a commanding view of northern Israel all the way to Acre and Haifa.

There were further air strikes the next day against Hezbollah positions in the southern Bekaa valley.

Hezbollah positions and Israeli positions had been close enough for soldiers on each side to recognize the faces on the other, he said.

The Israelis also unleashed a steady artillery barrage at suspected Hezbollah positions, as the exchange continued for several hours.

On July 25, 1993, Israel carried out a week-long military operation in Lebanon to attack Hezbollah positions.

While Hezbollah positions were frequently hidden in civilian areas, Israeli officials said their intention was to use cluster bombs in open terrain.

Israel scrambled helicopter gunships and fired artillery shells back at Hezbollah positions.

Israel responded with air and artillery strikes onto Hezbollah positions in Lebanon.

On Thursday, Israel continued its large-scale air attacks on Hezbollah positions and equipment.