GENEVA: Hezbollah`s deputy chief Naim Qassem said on Tuesday the Iran-backed group would inflict `pain` on Israel but he also called for a ceasefire as a conflict rages between them in south Lebanon.

Israel has been turning up the heat on Hezbollah since it began incursions into the region after killing Hezbollah leaders and commanders, including its veteran secretary-general Hassan Nasrallah last month in the biggest blow to the group in decades.

On Tuesday, the Israeli military said its troops in south Lebanon had captured three Hezbollah fighters.

`The solution is a ceasefire, we are not speaking from a position of weakness, if the Israelis do not want that, we will continue,` Q assem said in a recorded speech.

`But after the ceasefire, according to an indirect agreement, the settlers would return to the north and other steps will be drawn up.

There was no immediate comment from Israel, which says its operation in Lebanon aims to secure the return of tens of thousands of residents forced to flee their homes in northern Israel because of Hezbollah attacks. -Agencies