An Israeli Cabinet minister confirmed today that Israel was trying to bring Syria back to the negotiating table.

Peace with Syria requires an Israeli commitment to surrender the strategic Golan Heights and cannot be achieved through secret negotiations, a Syrian state newspaper said today, a day after an Israeli newspaper reported that envoys of the two countries had agreed a framework for peace during secret talks.

Hezbollah dealt Israel its heaviest losses yet in the current campaign, killing nine soldiers in fierce firefights.

Hezbollah guerrillas who are bombarding Israel with missiles are being helped by members of Iran’s revolutionary guards, Israel said tonight.

Hezbollah guerrillas who are bombarding Israel with missiles are being helped by members of Iran’s revolutionary guards, Israel said tonight.

Israeli warplanes repeatedly blasted Beirut’s southern suburbs today, causing a series of huge blasts, Hezbollah’s Al Manar television reported.

Israeli officials warned today that Hezbollah has missiles that could reach as far as 100-200kms, into the country, putting cities such as Jerusalem and Tel Aviv at risk if the weapons are used.

At least 12 Lebanese villagers, including women and children, were killed today in what appeared to be an Israeli airstrike on a convoy of vehicles fleeing a village near the border with Israel in southern Lebanon, a witness said.

Two US congressmen today said President Bashar Assad assured them Syria will not grant asylum to Iraqis wanted for war crimes and will expel any Iraqis who cross into the country.

Israeli archeologists have found what could be the world's oldest village on the dried-out bed of the Sea of Galilee.