In pictures: Israel offensive

Israeli forces have launched a major operation in Lebanon in response to the capture of two soldiers by the Hezbollah militant group.

The Israelis were seized in an ambush on their vehicle close to the Israeli-Lebanese border on Wednesday morning that also left four soldiers dead.

Rockets hit Beirut's international airport and targets across the south, damaging runways and closing the airport.

The city's only international hub was hit early on Thursday, as Israel imposed an air and sea blockade on the country.

Before targeting the airport, Israel launched night-time air strikes on bridges and roads in southern Lebanon.

At least 35 civilians have been killed in the raids, which also targeted homes in southern Lebanon.

In one house in Dweir, near Nabatiyeh, 10 members of a family, including eight children, died in an air strike.

Bombings on the main road between Beirut and the south cut Lebanon in two.

Hezbollah responded to the overnight raids by firing a volley of rockets at the northern Israeli coastal town of Nahariya, killing one woman.

Across northern Israel, families headed for specially protected shelters to shield them from rocket attacks.

The town of Safed 15km (9 miles) inside Israel was hit by seven Hezbollah missiles killing one resident - the last time it was attacked was in the 1990s.

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