War expansion or imminent ceasefire? Conflicting reports as Israel escalates in Lebanon

President Joseph Aoun is leading intensive efforts with the Americans in an attempt to reach a ceasefire or de-escalation and to halt the Israeli advance, the al-Modon news portal reported on Sunday

"Contacts are ongoing with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio in an attempt to reach a ceasefire," al-Modon said.

LBCI television meanwhile said that Rubio is leading efforts for "consolidating the ceasefire in Lebanon," adding that "if these efforts succeed, that will be announced after the Tuesday negotiations session" between Lebanese and Israeli diplomats.

Israel's Channel 14 meanwhile reported that after a series of discussions, Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz were "inclined to agree to carry out large-scale attacks across Lebanon within the next 24 hours, including issuing evacuation notices to hundreds of thousands of civilians, in coordination with the Americans."

Israel's flag flew over the medieval castle of Beaufort in south Lebanon on Sunday, as it warned Lebanese civilians to evacuate a large part of the south of the country ahead of stepped up ground operations.

‏Lebanon's state news agency reported a series of strikes on the outskirts of the southern city of Tyre, including a strike near a hospital, as well as strikes on several southern villages.