The Israel Defense Forces continued its intense airstrike and ground campaigns in Gaza -- particularly in the north of the strip -- and in Lebanon, with Israeli attacks on targets nationwide including in the capital Beirut.

Israeli airstrikes targeted a neighborhood in the heart of Lebanon’s capital, slamming into an area of Beirut near the Parliament, several embassies and the U.N. headquarters

"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.

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.

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.

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.