TEL AVIV — Top Israeli officials have received unequivocal messages from both associates of Kamala Harris and Donald Trump indicating that the war against Hezbollah in Lebanon must end by the time one of them takes office Jan. 20. 

Indeed, Trump has said so himself several times, and Harris has not hidden her views, either. Incumbent President Joe Biden has said it almost from day one. Still, the fighting continues for the second month.

The recently renewed efforts by US mediator Amos Hochstein, who held talks in Beirut and Jerusalem based on indications that both sides were ready to deal, generated hope on both sides of the Blue Line, the border between Israel and Lebanon. But despite optimistic reports about his meetings with Israeli and Lebanese leaders, including one with Netanyahu last week along with his US National Security Council colleague Brett McGurk, work on an agreement has stalled. This, too, may be awaiting the results of the US presidential elections. 

"This is one of the strangest wars we’ve ever had — a war that neither side wants, not the Lebanese, not us Israelis, not Hezbollah, not the Americans, not the Europeans, not even the Iranians,” a senior Israeli security source told Al-Monitor on condition of anonymity.