BEIRUT/JERUSALEM (Reuters) -Diplomacy aimed at securing a ceasefire in Lebanon showed tentative signs of progress on Thursday as Israel pounded its northern neighbour including heavy airstrikes on the stronghold of armed group Hezbollah near Beirut.

Lebanon's prime minister said US envoy Amos Hochstein had signalled during a phone call Wednesday that a ceasefire in the Israel-Hezbollah war was possible before US elections are held on November 5.

Lebanon's caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati has appeared to encourage Tehran to convince Hezbollah, which it supports, to agree to a deal that could require the militant group to withdraw from the Israel-Lebanon border.

Israeli officials are insisting on maintaining a capacity to strike Lebanon at any moment as part of conditions to secure a ceasefire with Iran-backed Hezbollah, France's foreign minister said on Wednesday.

Lebanese state media say Israeli ground forces reached their deepest point in Lebanon since they invaded six weeks ago, before pulling back after fierce battles with Hezbollah militants

Israel launched more airstrikes on Hezbollah targets Friday, completely leveling a building in Beirut. The strikes come after a top Iranian official committed to support Lebanon as the U.S. continues to push for a cease-fire deal.

Lebanon is considering a U.S.-backed cease-fire plan while Israel launched new strikes in the area south of Beirut. Senior Lebanon officials are reviewing the proposal and it is based on the U.N. Security Council resolution 1701,

Israel has stepped up strikes on the city’s southern suburbs in recent days, an area Israeli officials say hosts Hezbollah militants and infrastructure.