Israeli troops are understood to have made their deepest incursion into southern Lebanese territory since the recent offensive began on October 1, as the militant group Hezbollah considered its response to a fresh ceasefire proposal.

Fresh Israeli airstrikes hit Beirut's southern suburbs late Friday following a heavy bombardment in the morning. A dpa reporter said there were at least three explosions and that black smoke rose over the Ghobeiry area.

Israel launched a wave of air strikes on Hezbollah bastions in Beirut and south Lebanon on Saturday, a day after Lebanese government officials said they were studying a US truce

A building in Beirut's southern suburbs collapsed in a gigantic cloud of smoke and dust, as two strikes attributed to Israel hit the capital city on Friday.