Three Israeli soldiers were killed in fierce clashes with Hezbollah guerillas in southern Lebanon on Tuesday, the pan-Arab al-Arabiya satellite TV reported.

The confrontation took place near the southern Lebanese border village of Aita al-Shaab, said the report, adding that three Israeli soldiers were killed.

No further details were revealed.

There was no immediate comment from the Israeli side.

Earlier in the day, the Israeli army announced that Israeli troops killed 20 Hezbollah guerillas in southern Lebanon during the past 48 hours.

But al-Arabiya reported that Hezbollah had denied its fighters were killed.

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.

Source: Xinhua