Amos Hochstein, a top U.S. envoy to the Middle East, arrived in Beirut, the Lebanese capital, on Tuesday as efforts to broker a cease-fire between Israel and Hezbollah appeared to be intensifying.

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.