The Vice President's office rejects claims he castigated the Israeli PM in a phone call, even as U.S. officials reportedly press Israel over unchecked settler attacks and enforcement failures in the West Bank

Israeli strikes on bridges and crossings in southern Lebanon are isolating villages, worsening shortages, and raising fears of a siege. 'They believe this will erode Hezbollah's popular support base, but that is far from certain,' one resident said. 'It will increase anger and frustration toward all sides'