Israel pounded south Lebanon with deadly strikes and widened its offensive with the first raid near Beirut in weeks where authorities said a woman and two children were killed despite a ceasefire.The attack near the capital came after heavy strikes on south Lebanon that authorities said had killed at least 14 people, including three children.The escalation comes as Lebanon and Israel prepare for talks between military delegations at the Pentagon on Friday, and for US-brokered talks early next week -- the fourth round since the latest Israel-Hezbollah conflict erupted.

The Israeli army intensified strikes in southern Lebanon on Monday, as two far-right Israeli ministers called for escalation including attacks on Lebanese capital Beirut.

Israeli strikes on southern Lebanon killed 31 people on Tuesday, the Lebanese health ministry said, as Israel said it was intensifying attacks despite a truce in its war with…