The chance for an end to more than a year of fighting between Israel and Hamas in Gaza and the release of about 100 hostages held by the militants is now “more likely” because of last week’s ceasefire reached by Israel with Hezbollah in Lebanon, a top U.S. national security official said Sunday.

The possibility of a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in Gaza grew closer as Jake Sullivan, the White House national security adviser, expressed optimism on Sunday following a recent ceasefire

Former Israeli diplomat Alon Pinkas predicted Saturday that a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Palestinian militant group Hamas in Gaza is unlikely before President Biden departs the White House early next year.

The Biden administration is concerned the fragile ceasefire in Lebanon could unravel after Israel and Hezbollah exchanged fire in recent days, U.S. officials say. Why it matters: The ceasefire announced last Tuesday ended more than a year of fighting between Israel and Hezbollah.

Under the agreement, Israeli troops would withdraw from southern Lebanon while Hezbollah would move its forces further away from the Israeli-Lebanon border.