Speaking to soldiers during a visit to Israel Defense Forces (IDF) Northern Command, Peretz said that "the primary effort is to create a security strip that will be in our control in the absence of a multinational force to take control over the border, or more accurately, in the absence of a multinational force with the power to enforce."

The defense establishment is formulating the requisite conditions of the security strip, Peretz said. He did not elaborate on the desired width of the security strip, but stated that it would be decided according to different parameters in the field.

Regarding the IDF's activities against Hezbollah, Peretz said that they serve not only to promote the creation of a security strip but also to show to Hezbollah that IDF can get anywhere.

Meanwhile, the defense minister emphasized that, in the past six years, Hezbollah guerillas had built fortifications, which are being demolished by the IDF.

"Anyone who sees or hears of what is inside these fortifications understands that Hezbollah wasn't building hotels and tourist sites, as we were doing during these six years. They were busy building fortresses and strongholds that would allow them to attack Israel."

Lebanon has been targeted by Israeli military attacks following the capture of two Israeli soldiers and killing of eight others in a cross-border raid by Hezbollah on July 12.

More than 300 Lebanese and about 40 Israelis have been killed since the start of the crisis, it was reported.