Israel and Hezbollah traded heavy fire as the conflict in the Middle East intensified amid attempts to reach a cease-fire deal. NBC News’ Hala Gorani reports on the deadly weekend as Israel targeted central Beirut,

Diplomats and other officials say there have been several sticking points in ceasefire talks to end the war between Israel and the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah, even as conditions for an agreement appear to be ripe.

Israel and Hezbollah continued their heavy exchange of fire on Monday, causing many schools to close on both sides of the Israel-Lebanon border, even as officials signaled that the two sides appeared to be nearing the first cease-fire since their conflict began last year.