US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin on Friday emphasized the need for a “diplomatic solution” in the escalating conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, as Israel prepares ground troops for a possible incursion and US-led efforts to secure a ceasefire appear to have failed.

The latest attacks raised the death toll from the Israeli strikes over three days to 615, with more than 2,000 people wounded.

In a first, Israel intercepted a Hezbollah missile aimed at Tel Aviv. The group said it was targeting the headquarter of Mossad, the Israeli spy agency.

Over 700 people have been killed in Israel's offensive in Lebanon this week, with 25 casualties reported on Friday alone. As Israel ramps up its attacks against Hezbollah, a potential ground invasion looms.

Members of Michigan's large Lebanese American community showed up at a rally in metro Detroit to show their support of Lebanon as the conflict in the Middle East escalates

The moves set off a diplomatic scramble as Hezbollah fired a ballistic missile at Tel Aviv and Israeli strikes killed more people in Lebanon, officials said.