US special envoy Amos Hochstein is optimistic about the chances of a ceasefire agreement between Israel, Lebanon, and Hezbollah to end the war that has been ongoing since October 8. The Biden administration has proposed a ceasefire based on UN Security Council Resolution 1701, which bans armed non-state actors like Hezbollah from operating in Southern Lebanon. Israel has demanded the ability to strike Hezbollah military targets and arms smuggling routes, which is a sticking point in the negotiations. Hochstein is currently in Lebanon holding talks to finalize the details of the ceasefire, and he expressed hope that a decision can be reached soon. However, Israeli officials, including Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee chairman MK Yuli Edelstein, are skeptical about the deal and believe it is far from being finalized.