Ceasefire agreement between Israel and Lebanon ‘closed’

The United States said Monday that a ceasefire between Lebanon’s Hezbollah and Israel was “close” but warned that an agreement had not yet been reached following media reports that the Israeli government would meet on Tuesday.

According to Axios, An Israeli official said Israel’s security cabinet is set to meet at 1530 GMT on Tuesday at Israeli army headquarters in Tel Aviv to approve a ceasefire agreement with Lebanon.

Lebanon MTV It also reported on Monday afternoon, citing official sources, that Lebanon has been notified of the ceasefire agreement and it will be announced tomorrow evening.

Reuters The news agency said the US-proposed truce would be overseen by a five-nation committee chaired by the US, including France.

US State Department spokesman Matthew Miller spoke at a regular press briefing on Monday and was asked by reporters about the possibility of a diplomatic breakthrough after months of wrangling.

“We don’t think we have an agreement yet. We believe we are close to an agreement. We believe we have been able to significantly reduce the differences, but there are still steps we need to take that we are hopeful we can get there,” Miller said.

The agreement provides for the withdrawal of the Israeli army from southern Lebanon and the deployment of Lebanese army troops within a 60-day period, confirmed Deputy Speaker of the Lebanese Parliament Elias Bou Saab.

He added that there are “no serious obstacles” to the implementation of the proposed US truce.

Earlier today it was announced that Israel and Lebanon have agreed to terms of a truce that will end the Israeli attack that has killed thousands of Lebanese civilians.

Neither side has officially announced the agreement, but Israel’s security cabinet is expected to approve the deal on Tuesday, a US official said. Axios.

“We think we have a deal. We are on the goal line, but we have not passed it yet. The Israeli cabinet must approve the deal on Tuesday, and until then, something can always go wrong,” the US official said.

An Israeli official confirmed that the security cabinet would meet on Tuesday, and four US and Israeli officials said Axios on Sunday the deal was almost completed.

However, points of contention still remain: Israel insists it would like the freedom to strike Lebanon at any time under the agreement.

On the way to a ceasefire

The Israeli government said on Monday that it was moving closer to a ceasefire with Hezbollah, but there were still some issues that needed to be resolved.

Meanwhile, Lebanese officials expressed cautious optimism, saying Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, wanted by the ICC on charges of crimes against humanity, could not be trusted.

The deputy speaker of Lebanon’s parliament said the decisive moment was approaching but was not entirely optimistic that the aggression would end.

“The balance is tilted a little towards (the agreement), but to a very small extent, because a person like Netanyahu cannot be trusted,” he said.

Israel’s ambassador to Washington also said a deal could be concluded within days. CNN Citing the source, he said Netanyahu had approved the new deal “in principle” but Israel still had doubts about some details.

The events take place against the backdrop of ongoing Israeli airstrikes on the southern suburbs of Beirut.

On Monday, Israel issued new threats of further attacks on buildings in the area and in the southern Lebanese city of Halta, ordering residents to leave the city.

The forced evacuation order came a day after Hezbollah launched some 340 rockets and drones toward Tel Aviv, causing heavy damage.

Since October 7, 2023, Israeli attacks on Lebanon have killed at least 3,768 people and injured another 15,699.