White House adviser Amos Hochstein met with top Israeli officials as he tried to deescalate tensions with the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah.

Israel has a new war goal, adding to mounting signs that the conflict could soon expand to the country's north as it warned the U.S. that “military action” would likely be the only way to addressing mounting hostilities with Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah.

The addition of the new war aim may push Israel to shift its military focus to its northern front as it warns that its patience for reaching a diplomatic solution with Hezbollah is running thin.

Israel says that halting Hezbollah’s attacks in the north in order to allow its residents to return is now an official war goal as it considers a wider military operation in Lebanon

The U.S. ambassador to the United Nations has accused Israel’s military of striking schools, humanitarian workers and civilians in Gaza