US envoy Amos Hochstein arrived in Beirut in a bid to secure a cease-fire deal between Israel and Hezbollah, as the Lebanese group approved a new proposal to halt the hostilities, with some comments.

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.

Lebanon and Hezbollah have agreed to a U.S. proposal for a ceasefire with Israel, a top Lebanese official told Reuters, as Beirut residents grapple with intensifying Israeli strikes.

"This war has been conducted almost entirely with American weapons and $18 billion in U.S. taxpayer dollars. Israel has dropped U.S.-provided 2,000-pound bombs into crowded neighb

On Wednesday, the US Senate is expected to vote on a bill that would block the sale of certain types of weapons to Israel, reports Reuters. The agency reports that the bill is backed by lawmakers who argue that Israel is obstructing humanitarian aid urgently needed by Palestinian civilians in Gaza.