BEIRUT, Aug 8: Israeli air strikes killed 31 villagers in south Lebanon on Tuesday as Beirut pleaded for a swift end to the hostilities that have cost around 1,000 Lebanese and 101 Israeli lives in four weeks.

Diplomats at the United Nations said a vote on a resolution to end the war might not take place before Thursday, as fighting in south Lebanon raged on. The vote has been delayed because Lebanon demanded the resolution include a withdrawal of Israeli forces from the south.

“We are working to have a ceasefire or at the very minimum an end to acts of aggression,” said Prime Minister Fouad Siniora. “Then displaced people can return to their homes.”

Israeli air raids killed 14 people and wounded 23 in the southern village of Ghaziyeh, rescue workers and hospital officials said. The bombs fell as mourners elsewhere in the village were burying 15 people killed by a raid there on Monday.

An Israeli army spokeswoman said the building hit belonged to a senior Hezbollah member and was not near the funeral. She said all residents had been told in advance to leave.

Four Israeli soldiers were killed fighting guerrillas, raising Israel’s military and civilian death toll to 101.—Reuters