Israel and Lebanon exchanged heavy fire into Sunday, with Israeli warplanes carrying out the most intense bombardment in almost a year of war across Lebanon's south, while Hezbollah claimed rocket attacks on military targets in Israel's north.

Meeting with a senior Biden administration adviser, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said “the only way” for Israel to return its displaced citizens to the northern border is through military action against Hezbollah.

Sacking Yoav Gallant would remove the anchor of Israel’s relationship with the U.S. and a fierce advocate of a cease-fire in Gaza.