Israel and Hezbollah have made progress on a possible ceasefire deal, according to the U.S. official dedicated to trying to end the conflict. U.S. envoy to the Middle East Amos Hochstein said on Tuesday that the gaps between the two sides had "narrowed" and that "we have a real opportunity to bring this conflict to an end.

The recent attacks are seen as part of Israel’s strategy to force Hezbollah and Lebanon to agree to a ceasefire, and an indication that it is prepared to expand its offensive by killing non-military members of the group and striking places outside areas where the movement has a strong presence, possibly to stir anti-Hezbollah sentiment.