A US envoy this week asked Lebanon to declare a unilateral ceasefire with Israel as part of an effort to help negotiations to reach a resolution for the more than year-long conflict, a senior Lebanese political source and a senior diplomat said.The sources said the effort was communicated by US Lebanon Envoy Amos Hochstein to Lebanese caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati.But such an announcement was seen as a non-starter in Lebanon, the sources said, where it would likely be equated with a surrender.

US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin discussed "opportunities for regional de-escalation" with his Israeli counterpart Yoav Gallant during a phone call, the Pentagon said on Thursday, amid the conflict in the Middle East.Austin "also reviewed steps Israel is taking and should continue to advance to improve the dire humanitarian conditions in Gaza, and prospects for a hostage release and ceasefire deal," according to the readout.

The US government on Thursday said Israel's decision to sign a waiver to extend cooperation between Israeli and Palestinian banks for another month was for a "very short term duration" and would create "another looming crisis" by Nov. 30.Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich's spokesman said on Thursday he will sign a waiver to extend cooperation between Israeli and Palestinian banks for another month after the cabinet agreed.

Russian air defenses downed 83 Ukrainian drones overnight, the TASS news agency cited Russia's defense ministry as saying on Friday.