Israeli forces killed 500 fighters in Lebanon, says commander

Israeli forces have killed more than 500 operatives in Lebanon since cross-border hostilities began in October, according to Major-General Ori Gordin, the commanding officer in the north.

"We have already eliminated more than 500 terrorists in Lebanon, the great majority of them from Hezbollah, and we have destroyed thousands of infrastructures," Gordin told troops in northern Israel.

"When the moment comes and we go on the offensive, it will be a decisive offensive."

More than nine months of violence have resulted in at least 523 deaths in Lebanon, including 342 confirmed Hezbollah fighters and 104 civilians, according to AFP.

Gordin did not mention civilian casualties.