Special report: Palestine-Israel Relations
    JERUSALEM, Aug. 12 (Xinhua) -- Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak said on Tuesday that Israel is closely monitoring the strengthening of Lebanese guerilla group Hezbollah, local daily The Jerusalem Post reported.

    "Hezbollah has gained significant strength in the last couple of years," Barak was quoted as saying during an Israel Defense Forces (IDF) Armored Corps drill in the Golan Heights.

    "We're following closely the violations of the balance by Hezbollah and Syria, and the strengthening beyond the fence," Barak told the troops, adding that "it's not for nothing that we're training here."

    He said the IDF has made necessary preparations in case of Hezbollah's possible violation of the UN resolution which ended the 2006 conflict between Israel and Hezbollah.

    After the conclusion of a prisoner swap deal with the Lebanese group in July, the Israeli government has devoted a number of sessions to discuss the growing strength of the Shiite militia group.