American diplomats are trying to persuade the two sides to temporarily stand down after intense fighting along Israel’s northern border, even as Israel’s top general told troops to prepare for a possible ground incursion.The New York Times reports that with Israel on the brink of a full-scale war with Hezbollah, the United States is working to broker a temporary cease-fire between the two sides. The goal is to prevent a wider conflict and revive stalled negotiations between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, according to a U.S. official on Wednesday.

The urgency of this diplomatic effort is underscored by recent developments in the region. On Wednesday, Hezbollah fired a missile at Tel Aviv for the first time, demonstrating its ability to strike deep into Israel’s urban areas despite the loss of key leaders. The Israeli military responded by shooting down the missile, which caused no significant damage.

Meanwhile, the Israeli military’s chief of staff, Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi, told soldiers stationed at the northern border with Lebanon that the airstrikes launched since Monday were meant to “prepare the terrain” for a potential ground invasion. In addition, two brigades of reservists have been called up and sent to the border.

Israel has continued its barrage of attacks, with the military reporting around 280 strikes in Lebanon by mid-afternoon on Wednesday. The Lebanese health minister confirmed that at least 51 people have been killed and 223 others wounded in airstrikes since Wednesday morning.

In response, Hezbollah has fired dozens of rockets at northern Israel, although many have been intercepted by Israeli missile defenses. One rocket struck a home in Kibbutz Sa’ar, injuring two men, one of them seriously.

The situation in Lebanon has become dire, with roughly 500,000 people displaced and seeking safety. The U.N. refugee agency has reported that thousands have fled to Syria, reversing the usual flow of refugees.

The conflict in Lebanon and Gaza has been a major topic at the U.N. General Assembly, with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu expected to travel to New York on Thursday. President Biden has once again called for a cease-fire in Gaza, while U.N. Secretary General António Guterres has warned that “the world cannot afford Lebanon to become another Gaza.”

The intensity of the airstrikes in Lebanon has been unprecedented, surpassing even the bombardment of Gaza during the recent Israel-Hamas war. On Monday alone, over 550 people were killed and 1,800 injured, making it one of the deadliest days in recent global conflicts and the deadliest day in Lebanon since the end of its civil war in 1990.

As the focus remains on Gaza, the families of Israeli hostages in the region fear that their loved ones will be forgotten amidst the escalating tensions and military actions. 

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