Israeli forces killed the Hezbollah fighters during operations in the southern Lebanese town of Taibe, according to the report.

No casualties were caused on the Israeli side, said the report.

But the pan-Arab al-Arabiya satellite TV reported that Hezbollah had denied its fighters were killed in the clashes.

Early on Tuesday, the Israeli security cabinet gave a go-ahead to the expansion of ground operations in southern Lebanon.

Israel announced on early Monday a 48-hour partial suspension of aerial bombardments on southern Lebanon, but reserved the right of airstrikes on Hezbollah leaders, rocket launchers or to protect ground operations.

Over 550 Lebanese and 51 Israelis have been killed in the 21 days of the conflict, which erupted on July 12 following the capture of two Israeli soldiers by Hezbollah guerillas during cross-border attacks.