Israel Defense Forces (IDF) troops would fight for another week, despite a UN ceasefire resolution, IDF Chief of Staff Dan Halutz said on Saturday.

The IDF has almost tripled its troops in southern Lebanon as part of its expanded ground offensive, Halutz was quoted by the Ha'arez daily as saying, adding that IDF troops would stay there until an international force arrives.

Referring to the resolution, Halutz said, "We will fight Hezbollah until it will be decided what the structure will be here."

According to him, the IDF needs a number of days to complete its control of the field and another number of weeks to damage Hezbollah infrastructures.

Meanwhile, IDF troops were engaged in heavy battles with Hezbollah guerillas in southern Lebanon on Saturday, as they advanced northward to Litani River under cover of intense artillery fire.

Some 23 soldiers were injured in the fighting and were taken to hospital in Haifa for treatment.

Israel launched an expanded ground offensive in southern Lebanon on Friday after the UN Security Council voted unanimously on the ceasefire resolution.

Prime Minister Ehud Olmert agreed to accept the resolution and will present it to the cabinet on Sunday.

Israel will press ahead with its military offensive in southern Lebanon until the cabinet approves the resolution, Foreign Ministry spokesman Mark Regev said early Saturday.

Military sources said that some 520 Hezbollah militants have been killed since the operation began one month ago.