By BASSEM MROUEIsraeli ground forces reached their deepest point in Lebanon since they invaded six weeks ago before pulling back Saturday after battles with Hezbollah militants, Lebanese state media reported. The clashes and further Israeli bombardment came as Lebanese and Hezbollah officials study a draft proposal presented by the U.S. earlier this week on ending the war. Israel's military did not respond to requests for comment but said in a statement that its troops continue “limited, localized” operations in southern Lebanon. More than 3,400 people have been killed in Lebanon by Israeli fire — 80% of them in the past eight weeks — according to Lebanon’s Health Ministry. Israel’s military said a soldier died in combat in southern Lebanon on Friday.
