A senior U.S. mediator said on Tuesday there was a "real opportunity" to end the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah and that gaps were narrowing, signalling progress in Washington's efforts to clinch a ceasefire.

U.S. envoy Amos Hoschtein said Tuesday "a real opportunity" to end the Israel-Hezbollah conflict is "now within our grasp," but both parties need to make the decision.

US Middle East mediator Amos Hochstein arrived in Beirut on Tuesday in hopes of finalizing a ceasefire agreement that would end the war between Israel and Lebanon's Iran-backed Hezbollah militant group.

Netanyahu says that even if there is a cease-fire in Lebanon, Israel will still need to operate against Hezbollah to prevent it from regaining strength — a position that could prove to be a sticking point as the US works to get a deal across the finish line.