The deaths on Wednesday made it one of the most lethal days for the Israeli military since it invaded Lebanon last month to battle Hezbollah fighters.

Syria's defence ministry has said twin Israeli air strikes have killed 15 people in the upscale Mazzeh district of Damascus and in the outskirts of the capital.

An Israeli minister indicated that a ceasefire was closer than at any point since the war began, though he said a sticking point was ensuring Israel retains freedom to act inside Lebanon should any deal be violated.