Israel's Defence Minister Yoav Gallant says prospects for a halt in fighting with Hezbollah in Lebanon are diminishing. The Israeli minister told US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin that 'the possibility for an agreed framework in the northern arena is running out as Hezbollah continues to tie itself to Hamas.' Talks mediated by the US, Qatar, and Egypt have sought a truce in Gaza, but there have been no signs of progress in diplomacy aimed at halting the fighting between Hezbollah and Israel. The violence has killed hundreds of fighters in Lebanon and dozens of civilians and soldiers on the Israeli side.