Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said on Wednesday that Israeli forces will be ready to take any action necessary against Lebanon's Hezbollah, though the preference is to reach a negotiated arrangement.

"We are striking Hezbollah very hard every day, and we will also reach a state of full readiness to take any action required in Lebanon or to reach an arrangement from a position of strength.

"We prefer an arrangement, but if reality forces us, we will know how to fight," Gallant was quoted as saying in a statement issued by his office.

This is a developing story.