Israel is currently in discussions with Hezbollah terrorists in Lebanon regarding a possible cease-fire deal, as confirmed by an Israeli official on Monday. The Israeli prime minister's office has not provided any updates on the progress of the talks, but reports suggest that the Israeli Security Cabinet will convene on Tuesday to address the matter.
Israeli Ambassador to the United Nations, Danny Danon, stated that while the cease-fire deal has not been finalized, progress is being made. A senior U.S. official also indicated that Israel and Lebanon have reached a potential agreement, pending formal announcements from both parties.
The Israeli Security Cabinet is expected to vote on the proposed cease-fire agreement on Tuesday. In related developments, the Pentagon's top Middle East policy official, Dan Shapiro, met with Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz in Tel Aviv on Monday.
Despite Israel's military actions resulting in the elimination of most of Hezbollah's top leaders, the terrorist group continues to launch missiles into Israel. Tens of thousands of evacuated Israelis near the border are urging the government to allow them to return home.
Analysts suggest that Israel's objective in the conflict was to repatriate its residents, while Hezbollah aimed to force a cease-fire in Gaza. The recent visit of a U.S. mediator to the region led to increased tensions, with Israel striking central Beirut and Hezbollah responding with a significant missile barrage.
Efforts to mediate the agreement were complicated by the International Criminal Court's decision to issue arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant. President Biden cautioned French President Emmanuel Macron against intervening in the negotiations following France's compliance with the ICC ruling.
The proposed cease-fire deal involves a two-month initial truce, during which Israeli forces would withdraw from Lebanon and Hezbollah would cease armed presence along the southern border. Additional Lebanese army troops and a U.N. peacekeeping force would patrol the border area, with an international committee overseeing the implementation of the agreement and U.N. Security Council resolution 1701.
While progress has been made in the negotiations, certain outstanding issues still need to be resolved before a final agreement can be reached. Both parties are working towards closing the deal, with hopes of securing it within the coming days.
