The absence of a full-blown war in Lebanon has been touted as a core U.S. achievement, but now Washington’s grip on the crisis appears more tenuous than ever.

Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant did say on Wednesday, however, that his country's war with Iran's so-called proxy groups in the region had entered a "new phase," announcing a shift to the north of Israel after 11 months of intense conflict with Hamas in the Gaza Strip.

Lebanon is reeling after facing deadly back-to-back attacks targeting Hezbollah members – with pagers simultaneously exploding across the country on Tuesday, then walkie-talkies detonating in a similar fashion on Wednesday.

While the daily fighting between Israel and Hezbollah has escalated on several occasions, the enemies have been careful to avoid all-out war.

The Israeli military said it was striking Hezbollah targets in Lebanon on Thursday, shortly before the movement's leader was due to give a speech. It also said the military chief of staff had approved plans for Israel's north,

Israel has not commented on the mass attack on Hezbollah communications but multiple reports have said it was carried out by its spy agency Mossad.

The leader of Hezbollah vowed to retaliate for this week’s deadly attacks on the group’s communications devices

In Lebanon, exploding pagers and booby-trapped walkie-talkies – believed to be set off by Israel – have rattled Hezbollah and captured the world’s attention. What do they portend?

Plus: Polling from the nonpartisan World Justice Project on whether or not Americans will accept election results. Jordan Chiles' medal appeal.