Israel and Lebanon could be on the brink of a ceasefire agreement as high-stakes diplomatic talks involving Israel, Lebanon, and the United States advance toward a potential resolution.
Israeli officials have signaled progress in the discussions, while Lebanese authorities have expressed cautious optimism.
According to a senior Israeli official, the country’s cabinet is set to convene on Tuesday to deliberate on a ceasefire proposal with Hezbollah, the powerful Iran-backed militia that has been locked in a fierce conflict with Israel. In parallel, a Lebanese official revealed that Beirut had received word from Washington that an agreement could be announced “within hours.”
U.S. news outlet Axios reported that Israel and Lebanon have reached the terms of a ceasefire, with Israel’s security cabinet expected to approve the deal on Tuesday. However, while Israeli strikes continued to pound Lebanon on Monday, both sides acknowledged remaining issues to resolve before the agreement is finalized.
Israeli Ambassador to the United Nations Danny Danon confirmed progress in ceasefire negotiations, stating, “Talks toward a ceasefire with Hezbollah are moving forward,” but added that Israel would retain the ability to conduct military strikes in southern Lebanon under any deal.
In Lebanon, Deputy Parliament Speaker Elias Bou Saab expressed optimism about the US-proposed ceasefire, noting, “There are no serious obstacles left to starting the implementation.”
The proposal reportedly includes an Israeli military withdrawal from southern Lebanon, with Lebanese army troops taking control of the border region within 60 days.
Despite the intensified negotiations, violence has escalated dramatically in recent days. Over the weekend, Israeli airstrikes hit central Beirut, killing at least 29 people, while Hezbollah unleashed a massive rocket barrage, firing 250 missiles into Israeli territory on Sunday.
On Monday, Israeli airstrikes targeted Hezbollah-controlled areas in southern Beirut, sending debris and plumes of smoke billowing over the capital.
The conflict, which erupted into full-scale war in September, has taken a heavy toll on both sides. Israel has dealt severe blows to Hezbollah, including the killing of its leader Hassan Nasrallah and other senior commanders, but the militia has retaliated with sustained rocket attacks, keeping tensions high.
Efforts to secure a truce have been mediated by U.S. officials, with special envoy Amos Hochstein playing a key role. Hochstein recently declared “significant progress” after talks in Beirut and subsequent meetings in Israel.
Israeli Ambassador to the U.S. Michael Herzog echoed this sentiment, telling Israeli media that an agreement was close, with only a few outstanding issues left to resolve.
While optimism grows, challenges remain. Lebanese officials have voiced skepticism about Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s reliability. “The balance is slightly tilted towards there being an agreement, but by a very small degree, because a person like Netanyahu cannot be trusted,” Bou Saab said.
Despite this mistrust, Lebanese sources described the atmosphere as positive, with a second senior official telling Reuters that a ceasefire could be reached within the week.
The anticipated agreement draws upon U.N. Security Council Resolution 1701, which ended the 2006 war between Hezbollah and Israel. The resolution mandates Hezbollah’s withdrawal to positions at least 30 kilometers (19 miles) from the Israeli border.
Both sides have expressed commitment to a deal that balances military considerations with the need for stability. However, with violence continuing to escalate, the path to lasting peace remains uncertain.
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