The Israeli cabinet has met to discuss the approval of a ceasefire to temporarily end hostilities with the Lebanese militia Hezbollah.
According to Haaretz, an Israeli newspaper, ministers are expected to vote on the deal during the meeting on Tuesday, November 26, 2024, and approve the agreement’s text presented by the US and France.
The US State Department spokesperson, Matthew Miller, also consented to the developments, saying that “the gaps between the two conflicting parties have narrowed significantly” but also insisted that there are still steps they need to take to reach an agreement.
“Oftentimes the very last stages of an agreement are the most difficult because the hardest issues are left to the end. We are therefore pushing as hard as we can,” Miller said.
According to him, the possible deal includes a mutual ceasefire, an Israeli military withdrawal from south Lebanon, and regular Lebanese army troops deploying in the border region, along a Hezbollah stronghold, within 60 days; the US to head the five-country committee set up to monitor implementation of the agreement; and the Lebanese government to oversee arms purchases and production in the country.
The Lebanese Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Elias Bou Saab, also confirmed that there were now “no serious obstacles” left to start the implementation of a ceasefire truce unless Benjamin Netanyahu changes his mind and opts to continue with the war.
However, Lebanese authorities insisted that any ceasefire deal should be limited to the terms of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701, which ended the 2006 major war between Hezbollah and Israel.
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The resolution includes the withdrawal of Hezbollah’s fighters and weapons in areas between the Blue Line (the unofficial frontier between Lebanon and Israel) and the Litani River, about 30 km (18 miles) from the boundary between the two countries.
Israel and Hezbollah have accused each other of failing to implement the deal in the past, with Israel suggesting that a new ceasefire must allow her forces to strike any Hezbollah fighters or weapons that remain south of the river. Lebanon further demanded that Israel stop conducting military flights over her territory.
Despite diplomatic progress, hostilities have intensified over the past four days, with Israel carrying out powerful airstrikes killing at least 29 people in central Beirut. While Hezbollah retaliated by unleashing one of its biggest rockets, firing 250 missiles into Israel on Sunday, November 24, 2024.
