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.

Amos Hochstein is expected in Beirut on Tuesday, according to two Lebanese official sources, in a sign of progress in ceasefire negotiations for the deadly cross-border conflict between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon.

STORY: Lebanon and Hezbollah have agreed to a U.S. proposal for a ceasefire with Israel, a top Lebanese official told Reuters on Monday, as Beirut residents grapple with intensifying Israeli strikes.Ali Hassan Khalil described the effort as the most serious yet to end the fighting.