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.

"Gaza will never be a threat to the state of Israel again...We will reach a decisive victory there. Lebanon is different," said Israel's Agriculture Minister Avi Dichter, a member of the inner security cabinet and a former head of the Shin Bet intelligence agency.

The ceasefire deal in effect could end more than a year of cross-border fighting between Israel and Lebanon's Hezbollah militant group.