Hezbollah admits Israel dealt a severe blow with exploding pagers and walkie talkies, but neither side seems to heed U.S. calls to avoid a wider war.

Beirut has warned the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah is out of control as Israel signalled a new era of the war.Lebanese economy minister Amin Salam said the last week had been “very intense” for Lebanon and said escalation of the conflict by the hour was likely.

Israel has responded to Hezbollah's attacks with strikes in southern Lebanon, and has struck senior figures from the group in the capital Beirut. The exchanges have killed hundreds in Lebanon and dozens in Israel and forced the evacuation of tens of thousands of residents on each side of the border.