An Israeli government minister says the country is close to a deal that would see fighting cease in Lebanon, but only if it is granted powers to respond to any Hezbollah incursions.

Israeli officials are insisting on maintaining a capacity to strike Lebanon at any moment as part of conditions to secure a ceasefire with Iran-backed Hezbollah, France's foreign minister said on Wednesday.

The head of Lebanon's largest Christian party said Iran-backed Hezbollah should relinquish its weapons as quickly as possible to end its year-long war with Israel and spare Lebanon further death and destruction.

Israel will attack any attempt to bring weapons to Hezbollah from Syria, Israel's military spokesperson said on Thursday. "We are identifying rockets and other weapons that Hezbollah is launching at Israeli territory that were manufactured in Syria,