SIDON, Lebanon — Israeli ground forces pushed deeper into Lebanon today in heavy fighting and captured two Hezbollah guerrillas, while two aid convoys carrying food, generators and other badly needed supplies left Beirut for two southern cities.

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice made a surprise visit today to Beirut to launch diplomatic efforts aimed at ending 13 days of warfare. Prime Minister Fuad Saniora told her his government is hoping to "put an end to the war being inflicted on Lebanon."

Saniora has pleaded with Washington to press Israel to call a cease-fire in bombardment that has demolished Lebanon's infrastructure and killed hundreds. President Bush has opposed an immediate cease-fire, saying the root cause of the conflict must be resolved.

Hezbollah leader Sheik Hassan Nasrallah said in remarks published today the priority is for a cease-fire and he was open to discussing ideas on ending the crisis.

Fierce fighting raged at the border as Israeli troops moved deeper into Lebanon to besiege the biggest town close to the frontier — Bint Jbail, nicknamed the "capital of the resistance" due to its intense support of Hezbollah during Israel's 1982-2000 occupation of the south. Ten Israeli soldiers were wounded.

Bint Jbail holds strong symbolism for Hezbollah. Signs in the city tout its nickname, earned for its vehement backing of the guerrillas even while Israeli troops held the south. A day after Israel ended its occupation in 2000, Nasrallah went straight to Bint Jbail for his first celebration rally.

Much of the town's population of 200,000 is believed to have fled, but many remain. A Red Cross doctor who visited Sunday, Dr. Hassan Nasreddine, said he saw families crowded into schools, mosques and other buildings.

Following an intense artillery barrage, Israeli troops took control of a hilltop in Bint Jbail, but the rest of the town was held by Hezbollah guerrillas, military officials said.

An Israeli helicopter crashed in northern Israel near the border after hitting an electrical wire while making an emergency landing. Israel said there were two "casualties" but did not say if anyone survived. Al-Arabiya reported two Israelis were killed in the crash.

Hezbollah said it caused Israeli casualties in hits on five tanks moving on the road to Bint Jbail and around Maroun al-Ras, a hilltop village closer to the border that Israeli ground forces seized in heavy weekend fighting.

Israel said its troops captured two Hezbollah guerrillas, the first it had taken in the Lebanon fighting. Brig. Gen. Alon Friedman said the two prisoners are being held in Israel "with the aim of interrogating them."

Hezbollah continued its barrage of missile attacks on northern Israel, firing 10 at several populated areas. One person was wounded in the town of Shlome.

At least 384 people have been killed in Lebanon, including 20 soldiers and 11 Hezbollah fighters, according to security officials. At least 600,000 Lebanese have fled their homes, according to the WHO.