Israel and Hezbollah indicated that they were clashing deeper inside Lebanese territory. An escalation in the fighting could undermine efforts to reach a cease-fire.

An Israeli minister indicated that a ceasefire was closer than at any point since the war began, though he said a sticking point was ensuring Israel retains freedom to act inside Lebanon should any deal be violated.

Lebanon's caretaker prime minister on Friday asked Iran to help secure a cease-fire in the war between Israel and Hezbollah and appeared to urge it to convince the militant group to agree to a deal that could require it to pull back from the Israel-Lebanon border.

A top Iranian official has held talks with Lebanese leaders on the ongoing war between Israel and Hezbollah, which came as the United States is actively pushing both sides to agree to a new cease-fire deal.

A top Iranian official has pledged his country’s unwavering support for Lebanon after talks with Lebanese leaders on the ongoing war between Israel and Hezbollah.