President Biden told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during a phone call on Tuesday that following the ceasefire agreement in Lebanon, the focus should now be on reaching a hostage-release and ceasefire in Gaza deal,

Hamas is unlikely to compromise in Gaza, despite the decision by its ally, Hezbollah, to stop fighting. A deal in Gaza would also be harder for Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli prime minister.

Slavin said Hezbollah’s enduring power made a ceasefire in Lebanon an attractive prospect for Israel. What remains of Hamas’ organized forces is unclear, but it was apparent this week that Hezbollah remains intact, if diminished — and that it is still capable of firing missiles at Israel.