JERUSALEM, July 24, 2006 (AFP) - Israeli troops were locked in combat with Hezbollah guerrillas on Monday after extending their ground operations in southern Lebanon, a military source said.

Israeli warplanes also launched about 40 raids across Lebanon overnight, some targeting rocket launchers, the source said, as Israel's blistering offensive against its northern neighbour entered its 13th day.

The action followed the firing of about 100 rockets against northern Israel on Sunday that killed two people in the port city of Haifa and wounded around 30 more in the region.

The army also said two Hezbollah militiamen captured by troops in fighting on Sunday around the Lebanese border village of Marun al-Ras -- seized by Israel on Saturday -- had been brought to Israel.

Israel's assault on Lebanon was unleashed on July 12 after Hebollah fighters had captured two soldiers in a deadly border raid.

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