More than 40 people were killed by an Israeli "deliberate massacre" in the village of Hula in southern Lebanon on Monday, Lebanese Prime Minister Fuad Siniora denounced.

Siniora made the denunciation at an emergency meeting of Arab foreign ministers over the escalating conflict between Israel and Lebanon's Shiite group Hezbollah, which started here earlier in the day.

"One hour ago there was a horrible massacre in the village of Hula, a deliberate massacre, in which there were more than 40 martyrs," Siniora told the Arab ministers.

He urged the ministers to support an immediate and unconditional ceasefire.

Earlier, police said Israeli air strikes destroyed six buildings in Hula, trapping 45 people under the rubble.

Foreign ministers from over 20 Arab countries and Arab League Secretary General Amr Moussa began a closed-door meeting on Monday morning, with Siniora attended.

The meeting, held amid a fierce conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, is expected to focus on efforts toward a ceasefire. The Arab foreign ministers will also discuss holding an Arab summit to help end the fighting in Lebanon, Moussa told reporters before the emergency meeting.

Local Lebanese media reported that the summit might be held in the Saudi city of Mecca.