Following a deadly strike that killed 12 youths in the Israel-occupied Golan Heights, diplomats raced to contain escalation between Israel and Hezbollah, AFP reports.

Lebanese Foreign Minister Abdallah Bou Habib said a flurry of diplomatic activity has sought to contain the anticipated Israeli response.

“Israel will escalate in a limited way and Hezbollah will respond in a limited way… These are the assurances we’ve received,” Bou Habib said in an interview with local broadcaster Al-Jadeed.

The United States, France and others were trying to contain the escalation, Habib added, while Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati said that “talks are ongoing with international, European and Arab sides to protect Lebanon and ward off dangers”.

Several analysts told AFP that this was likely to be the case, with Israel wary of having to fight wars on two fronts.