Israel Defense Forces (IDF) Chief of Staff Dan Halutz speaks at a press conference in an Israeli army base in Beit Hillel, a northern town near the border with Lebanon, on Wednesday, August 2, 2006. (Xinhua Photo)

 METULLA, Israel, Aug. 2 (Xinhua) -- A unilateral ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon's Hezbollah is out of the question, Israel Defense Forces (IDF) Chief of Staff Dan Halutz said on Wednesday.

    Halutz also said that the Israeli army would consider airstrikes deep inside Lebanon including the Lebanese capital Beirut.

    "IDF will need to evaluate the airstrikes in the depth of Lebanon, especially in Beirut," Halutz told a press conference in an Israeli army base in Beit Hillel, a northern town near the border with Lebanon.

    "I assume that the matter will come up for authorization in the next day or two," he added.

    The Israeli army chief also vowed that the Israeli military action in Lebanon would go on "as long as we need."

    Meanwhile, on Wednesday morning, Israel planes dropped leaflets in 10 villages in south Lebanon, up to 20 km north of the border, urging local residents to leave their homes immediately, Israeli media reported. Enditem

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Israel Defense Forces (IDF) Chief of Staff Dan Halutz speaks at a press conference in an Israeli army base in Beit Hillel, a northern town near the border with Lebanon, on Wednesday, August 2, 2006. (Xinhua Photo)