**Israel-Hizbollah Tensions Rise: Mixed Messages on Ceasefire Amidst Increasing Violence**

The ongoing conflict between Israel and Hezbollah shows little signs of de-escalation, as experts predict an intensification of hostilities in the coming months. On November 6, Israel's chief military leader, Herzi Halevi, announced plans to expand military operations against Hezbollah. Concurrently, he asserted that diplomatic efforts were underway to negotiate a ceasefire.

UN peacekeeping chief Jean-Pierre Lacroix emphasized the importance of redeploying the Lebanese armed forces in southern Lebanon as a critical aspect of any ceasefire agreement. Lacroix has engaged in discussions with Lebanon's top political and military figures, including Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, Defence Minister Maurice Sleem, Foreign Minister Abdallah Bou Habib, and Army Commander General Joseph Aoun. Furthermore, he met representatives of nations contributing troops to UNIFIL, the UN peacekeeping mission in southern Lebanon, which has come under Israeli fire multiple times since the escalation of attacks.

The situation remains tense, with legislative developments in Israel adding to the conflict's complexity. The Israeli parliament, the Knesset, is set to debate a bill that would ban the raising of the Palestinian flag in state-funded institutions. This bill includes provisions for dispersing gatherings displaying such flags and imposing penalties, including up to a year in prison and a substantial fine.

Violent incidents continue to plague the region. In the occupied West Bank, two Palestinian minors were injured by Israeli gunfire during a raid in Beit Furik, east of Nablus, as reported by the Palestinian Red Crescent Society (PRCS). The Lebanese Health Ministry reported that at least 16 individuals were killed and 18 wounded, bringing the total casualties since the hostilities began on October 8 to 3,386 deaths and 14,417 injuries, with 220 children among the victims.

The UN's agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) warned that ceasing its operations could lead millions of people losing access to critical humanitarian aid, including nearly 400,000 students in Gaza and the West Bank. As the situation deteriorates, UNRWA chief Philippe Lazzarini is expected to provide an update.

In the Gaza Strip, Israeli drone strikes on a tent for displaced persons in the Bureij refugee camp resulted in the deaths of at least four Palestinians, including children. This tragic incident underscores the growing humanitarian crisis.

The United Nations aims to strengthen its peacekeeping mission through UNIFIL to support the Lebanese army if a ceasefire is reached, although the UN will not directly enforce it. Lacroix highlighted the pivotal role of redeploying Lebanese armed forces for achieving a lasting peace in the region, reiterating the necessity of adhering to UN Resolution 1701, which calls for Hezbollah's withdrawal from the border area as a foundation for ending the conflict.