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.

The clashes and further Israeli bombardment of parts of southern Lebanon came as Lebanese and Hezbollah officials study a draft proposal presented by the U.S. on ending the war.

As a top adviser to Iran's supreme leader Ali Khamenei visited Lebanon for talks, Lebanese officials said a U.S. proposal for a cease-fire deal had been passed on to Hezbollah.