The Israeli security cabinet voted on Wednesday for a major escalation of the Lebanese conflict, authorising the army to advance to the Litani river, up to 18 miles north of the border, to halt rocket fire from Hizbollah guerrillas. The decision was made as Israeli troops battled Hizbollah forces near the border, almost a month after they first crossed it. Arab media said 11 Israeli soldiers were killed in Wednesday’s fighting, although the Israeli army confirmed only five deaths. Full Story