US-brokered negotiations over a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah are hanging in the balance amid fierce fighting for control of southern Lebanon. Hopes for an end to the 13-month conflict grew after officials on all sides reported progress during three days of talks in Beirut and Jerusalem last week,

"We believe that the trajectory of this is going in a very positive direction," the National Security Council's John Kirby said.

Israel and Hezbollah are nearing a ceasefire agreement, as hostilities intensify between the two. While Lebanese officials remain cautiously optimistic, skepticism surrounds Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu's intentions.

The envoy, Amos Hochstein, was in Israel and planned to meet with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, seeking a truce in the country’s war with the militant group Hezbollah.

The Israeli ambassador to Washington says that a ceasefire deal to end fighting between Israel and the Lebanon-based Hezbollah could be reached “within days.”

Israel is moving towards a ceasefire in the war with Lebanon's Hezbollah but there are still issues to address, the government said on Monday, while the Israeli ambassador to the United States was quoted saying a deal could transpire within days.

Hezbollah fired about 250 rockets at Israel on Sunday with the Israeli military saying houses had been destroyed or set alight near Tel Aviv, after a powerful Israeli air strike killed at least 29 people in Beirut.

The Israeli Security Cabinet will convene Tuesday to discuss a possible cease-fire agreement with Hezbollah terrorists in Lebanon, Ambassador Danny Danon said.