The Israeli attack followed others on Hezbollah rocket launchers and infrastructure in southern Lebanon, after Hezbollah vowed to retaliate for detonations of pagers and radios.

Israel’s attack on Hezbollah’s communication devices raised expectations of a decisive shift in their war of attrition. Instead, the fighting has returned to a standoff.

The attack came hours after Hezbollah fired 140 rockets at northern Israel and follows this week's deadly explosions of pagers and walkie-talkies carried by Hezbollah members.

The Israeli military said it was striking Hezbollah targets in Lebanon on Thursday, shortly before the movement's leader was due to give a speech. It also said the military chief of staff had approved plans for Israel's north,