Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has tentatively approved a ceasefire deal with Hezbollah, a significant development in a conflict that has seen escalating violence over the past year. According to a source familiar with the matter, Netanyahu agreed to the proposed ceasefire "in principle" during a security consultation with senior officials on Sunday night. However, Israel retains reservations about specific aspects of the agreement, which were to be relayed to the Lebanese government on Monday.
The proposed agreement, which requires approval from Israel's cabinet, remains under negotiation. Sources close to the discussions emphasized that the deal is not final, cautioning that continued hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah could jeopardize progress. Amos Hochstein, the U.S. envoy mediating the talks, expressed optimism last week, stating that a ceasefire was "within our grasp," but he underscored that success ultimately depends on the willingness of both parties.
Hochstein has engaged in intensive discussions with Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati and parliamentary speaker Nabih Berri, who acts as Hezbollah's intermediary in the negotiations. "We have a real opportunity to bring conflict to an end," Hochstein remarked during his visit to Beirut. He later traveled to Israel, aiming to finalize the terms of a deal that proposes a 60-day cessation of hostilities as a foundation for a more enduring peace.
The ceasefire proposal includes a phased withdrawal of Israeli forces from Lebanon, where they launched a military offensive in mid-September following months of border clashes. Hezbollah would, in turn, pull back its armed presence south of the Litani River. Thousands of Lebanese army troops and U.N. peacekeepers would then patrol the border area. This arrangement builds upon U.N. Security Council Resolution 1701, enacted in 2006, but never fully implemented.
Despite these efforts, significant hurdles remain. Two Western diplomats disclosed ongoing disputes over critical terms of the deal. Israel has insisted on explicit guarantees to prevent Hezbollah from rearming along the border and maintaining freedom to strike in Lebanon if violations occur. Lebanese officials have pushed back, arguing that such conditions would infringe on Lebanon's sovereignty. Hezbollah's deputy leader, Naim Kassem, has echoed this stance, asserting that any agreement must include a complete cessation of Israeli aggression.
The parties have also clashed over the composition of an international committee tasked with monitoring the ceasefire. While Israel has dropped its initial opposition to France's participation, Lebanon has rejected the inclusion of Britain, a staunch Israeli ally. Negotiations over these issues continue as both sides grapple with domestic and international pressures.
The conflict has exacted a devastating toll on both nations. In Lebanon, over 3,500 people have died, many of them civilians, while a quarter of the population has been displaced. Southern Lebanon and parts of Beirut have suffered extensive destruction from Israeli airstrikes. In Israel, rocket attacks and ground fighting have killed more than 70 people, including over 40 civilians. Tens of thousands of Israelis evacuated from northern border areas are demanding a swift resolution to return home.
U.N. special envoy Geir Pedersen warned that a failure to secure a ceasefire could escalate the conflict into neighboring Syria and Iraq. Israel has already conducted airstrikes on Iran-linked groups in Syria and has threatened to target militias in Iraq. Analysts believe such an expansion would further destabilize the region and complicate ongoing peace efforts.
Despite the challenges, diplomatic momentum appears to be building. Hochstein warned Israeli officials that a lack of progress could prompt the U.S. to withdraw from mediation efforts, adding urgency to the negotiations. However, many observers remain skeptical, predicting that any substantive agreement may have to wait until President-elect Donald Trump assumes office in January.
