Israeli Security Cabinet Votes to Expand Ground Offensive to Litani River

Israel's security cabinet has ordered a 30-day expanded ground offensive in Lebanon aimed at striking a harder blow against Hezbollah and curbing its cross-border rocket attacks. The decision by PM Ehud Olmert and top ministers may send troops as far as 13 miles - to the Litani River - into southern Lebanon. Nine ministers approved the decision and three abstained, including Vice Premier Shimon Peres.

YNET reports that during the Cabinet session, Olmert spoke with Secretary Rice, but there are no reports of what the conversation is about. We'll look for an update on a readout in today's press briefing in a few hours.

IDF Chief of Staff Dan Halutz said Tuesday that such an operation is necessary "in order to end this war differently." People who participated in discussions of the plan with him said they had never heard him speak as forcefully in favor of anything as he did in favor of the proposed ground operation.

Israel already has about 10,000 troops in southern Lebanon, and it was not immediately clear how many more would be deployed in the widened military campaign. Olmert's office said further details would be released in a later statement.

UPDATE 08/09 @ 18:16: Read the official Security Cabinet Resolution here.