It would mark a stunning escalation of the 22-month war in the territory that has already been largely destroyed and where experts say famine is unfolding.

The commandment of bal taschit prohibits wasteful destruction and is especially relevant in military conflict because in the fog of war humans can feel justified in destroying anything in their paths.

Hezbollah chief Naim Qassem threatened Israel directly for the first time in months in a televised speech on Tuesday, saying missiles would fall on it if it resumed a broad war on Lebanon.

Naim Kassem's comments came as Lebanon's Cabinet was meeting to discuss Hezbollah's disarmament. Beirut is under U.S. pressure to disarm the group that recently fought a 14-month war with Israel and was left gravely weakened,

The Israeli military on Wednesday said it had struck several Hezbollah targets in southern Lebanon, including weapons depots, rocket launch sites and facilities used to store technical equipment. Lebanese media also reported Israeli airstrikes in the region earlier in the day.