Beirut: At least 13 individuals were killed in a series of overnight airstrikes conducted by the Israeli military in southern Lebanon, as reported by local media on Wednesday. The state news agency NNA detailed that fighter jets targeted a residence in the town of Maarakeh, resulting in the deaths of two people. Additional airstrikes in Kfar Melki and Zefta towns claimed at least four more lives, according to the broadcaster. According to Anadolu Agency, three people were killed in an attack in Ain Qana, while four others lost their lives in the village of Habbouch. Reports of airstrikes and artillery shelling emerged from Dibbine, Kafr Rumman Rihan, Shebaa, Ghandouriyeh, and Kafr Tebnit, although details regarding potential injuries remain undisclosed. NNA reported that the Israeli military is attempting to advance into Kafrchouba hills in southern Lebanon, facing significant resistance from Hezbollah fighters. This latest escalation follows Hezbollah's 34 attacks against Israeli targets in southern Lebano n and northern Israel the previous day. The situation intensified as US envoy Amos Hochstein engaged in discussions with Lebanese officials in Beirut on Tuesday, seeking a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Lebanon. Hochstein expressed optimism about reaching a ceasefire agreement with Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, stating that an end to the conflict was "within our grasp." He is scheduled to visit Israel on Wednesday. The United States, Israel's principal ally, is mediating negotiations between Tel Aviv and Beirut to establish a ceasefire that would conclude over a year of hostilities between Hezbollah and Israel. Since launching an air campaign in late September against purported Hezbollah targets, Israel has been involved in cross-border warfare with Lebanon. Lebanese health authorities report that more than 3,500 individuals have been killed, approximately 15,000 injured, and over a million displaced due to Israeli attacks in Lebanon since last October. Tel Aviv escalated the conflict fu rther by initiating a ground assault into southern Lebanon on October 1 this year.