Israel is sending troops into villages farther from its border, in what some former senior security officials worry could turn into a war of attrition.

The conflict between Israel and Hezbollah has deepened in recent days despite diplomatic efforts to move toward a temporary truce.

Israel suffered one of the deadliest days of its ground offensive against Hezbollah in Lebanon on Wednesday when six of its soldiers were killed in combat near the border.Their deaths mean 47 Israeli troops have been killed in combat with Hezbollah since September 30,