The chance for reaching an agreement between Israel and Lebanon is running out, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant told his US counterpart Lloyd Austin, Anadolu reports.

Gallant had a phone call with the US defense secretary to discuss developments along the Israeli-Lebanese border amid an exchange of attacks with the Lebanese group Hezbollah.

Gallant told Austin that the opportunity for striking a deal “is passing” due to Hezbollah’s increasing alignment with Hamas, the Israeli Defense Ministry said.

He said Israel is committed to ending Hezbollah’s influence in southern Lebanon and ensuring the return of evacuated Israelis to their homes in northern Israel.