In Lebanon, 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 it has a strong presence, possibly to stir anti-Hezbollah sentiment.

Israeli troops are understood to have made their deepest incursion into southern Lebanese territory since the recent offensive began on October 1, as the militant group Hezbollah considered its response to a fresh ceasefire proposal.

Local reporting suggested that Hezbollah had approached the US-backed deal with “openness” even as Israeli strikes in Lebanon have intensified.