Israeli defense minister: The likelihood of reaching a settlement on the Lebanon border is diminishing

Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant informed his U.S. counterpart, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, that the likelihood of reaching a settlement on the Lebanon border is rapidly diminishing, according to reports from Israel's Channel 12.

Amid rising tensions, the commander of Israel's Northern Brigade also stated that his forces are prepared to occupy a security strip on the Lebanese side of the border.

This escalation comes as the situation on Israel's southern front intensifies.

Israeli artillery targeted the Jabal Sadana area, south of the town of Shebaa, with five 155mm shells and fired more than seven heavy artillery rounds at the northern outskirts of the town of Kfarchouba.

Additionally, Israeli airstrikes hit a house in the town of Houla in southern Lebanon.