Latest developments

On the 21st day of the Middle East crisis...

* Israeli forces thrust into southern Lebanon in expansion of their offensive, pounding towns and villages but meeting fierce resistance from Hizbollah guerillas.

* Helicopters landed Israeli soldiers on hills near the northeastern Lebanese town of Baalbek, a Hizbollah stronghold, late last night, Lebanese security sources said. The aim of the operation was not immediately clear, they said. An Israeli army spokesman declined to comment.

* Israel's security cabinet agrees to step up offensive, entailing ground sweep six-seven km into Lebanon, political source says. Arab TV networks say three Israeli soldiers killed.

* Five Israeli soldiers were wounded on the Israeli side of the border with Lebanon when they came under mortar fire, the army said. The troops were hit near the northern Israeli border town of Zarit, an army spokesman said.

* Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, who's rejected international calls for immediate halt to hostilities, says he sees start of process that will lead to cease-fire.

* EU calls for immediate halt to hostilities to be followed by sustainable cease-fire, watering down demands for immediate cease-fire at insistence of Britain, other US allies.

* Israel's army says it warns residents north of Lebanon's Litani river to leave area, suggesting air raids could target areas farther north than most previous strikes.

* Israel says it will resume full air strikes in Lebanon early today at end of partial, 48-hour suspension.

* Israeli infrastructure minister says army needs up to two weeks to complete its objectives.

* UN and Red Cross say forced to delay dispatch of aid to southern Lebanon because failed to get security guarantees.

* Israel's tourism minister says up to 400 Hizbollah guerillas have been killed.