The United States is actively working to thwart a "greater war" between Israel and Hezbollah, as stated by a White House official amid rising concerns of a significant conflict between the factions.

While visiting Lebanon on Tuesday, where the Iran-backed group engages in frequent skirmishes with Israel, Amos Hochstein stressed that the US is urgently seeking to stabilize a conflict that has been escalating since it began in October along with the Gaza war.

Hezbollah and Israel have been exchanging fire along the Lebanon-Israel border for the past eight months. Last week, the Lebanese militia launched hundreds of rockets and drones at Israeli military installations following the death of one of its commanders.

Following a meeting with Lebanon’s Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, a known Hezbollah supporter, Hochstein emphasized the need for immediate de-escalation.

"We have observed an escalation over recent weeks. President Biden is focused on preventing this escalation from progressing into a broader war," Hochstein conveyed to the press.

The US envoy traveled to Beirut after meeting Israeli officials on Monday. According to Israel’s Haaretz newspaper, Hochstein warned that ongoing confrontations with Hezbollah could trigger a “large-scale Iranian attack”.

In Beirut, Hochstein highlighted the importance of resolving the conflict swiftly and diplomatically, stating, "It is in everyone's interest to achieve this resolution quickly."

‘Diplomatic Framework’

Hochstein's visit coincided with Hezbollah's temporary suspension of attacks for two days during the Eid al-Adha Muslim holiday, which started on Sunday. However, this pause ended on Tuesday with Hezbollah reportedly targeting an Israeli tank using a suicide drone.

Hezbollah also released a nine-minute video purportedly showing footage from its surveillance drones over Israel. The video depicted military installations in northern Israel and critical infrastructure in Haifa, including a power plant and commercial port.

Hezbollah declared it would continue its assaults on northern Israel unless a ceasefire is established in the Gaza Strip.

Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz accused Hezbollah of bragging about the footage it captured from Haifa port and threatening attacks on international companies operating there.

"We are nearing a crucial juncture in altering the confrontation rules against Hezbollah and Lebanon. In a full-scale war, Hezbollah will be devastated, and Lebanon will suffer severely," Katz stated in a social media post on Tuesday.

"Israel will undoubtedly face challenges on both frontline and home front, but with a resilient and united populace, and the full might of the Israeli military, we will restore security for the northern residents."

Earlier this month, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu asserted that "one way or another, we will restore security to the north," and his hardline nationalist coalition partners have advocated for a robust military response.

On Monday, the Israeli military announced the elimination of a "key operative" in Hezbollah's rocket division through a drone strike.

The US State Department stated late on Monday that it is forwarding a proposal to prevent a large-scale conflict.

"We believe a diplomatic framework is attainable that can resolve this conflict without resorting to all-out war," remarked a spokesperson.

In Beirut, Hochstein urged the adoption of the Gaza ceasefire proposal being promoted by President Biden's administration, hoping it would swiftly bring peace along the "Blue Line", referring to the contested Israel-Lebanon border.

"A ceasefire in Gaza or an alternative diplomatic resolution could also defuse the conflict across the Blue Line" and facilitate the return of displaced civilians to southern Lebanon and northern Israel, he noted.

Hezbollah claimed to have conducted over 2,100 military actions against Israel since October 8. The Lebanese faction initiated its attacks in solidarity with Palestinians following the outbreak of the Gaza war.

The border clashes have resulted in at least 473 casualties on the Lebanese side, mostly militants but also including 92 civilians, as per an AFP report.

Israeli officials reported at least 15 soldiers and 11 civilians have died in the northern region of the country.