Near a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah
This ceasefire agreement includes a 60-day transition period during which the Israeli army would withdraw from southern Lebanon, the Lebanese army would deploy to areas near the border and Hezbollah would move north of the Litani River
Israel and Hezbollah are ‘very close’ to reaching a ceasefire in the coming days, according to CNN. However, the American channel also qualifies that although the agreement is closer than ever, it is not yet fully formed. ‘We are moving in that direction, but there are still some issues to be addressed,’ said a spokesman for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
In recent days, Hezbollah has been studying a US-Israeli proposal for a 60-day truce that is expected to form the basis of a lasting ceasefire.
According to Axios, this draft ceasefire agreement includes a 60-day transition period during which the Israeli army would withdraw from southern Lebanon, while the Lebanese army would deploy to areas near the border and Hezbollah would move north of the Litani River. The agreement also provides for the creation of a US-led oversight committee to monitor ceasefire implementation and address violations.
The US also agreed to provide Israel with a letter of assurances that includes its support for Israeli military action against imminent threats from Lebanese territory such as the re-establishment of a Hizbollah military presence near the border or arms smuggling. According to the agreement, Israel would take such action after consultation with Washington and in the event that the Lebanese army fails to deal with the threat.
The fighting between Israel and Hezbollah began after the Islamic Republic of Iran-backed Lebanese militia launched missiles into Israeli territory on 8 October 2023 in support of Hamas in Gaza. After a year of fighting, the two sides stepped up their attacks significantly after Israel launched a ground invasion of Lebanon last October.
Since then, Israel has eliminated several Hezbollah leaders - including one of its founders, Hassan Nasrallah - as well as the group's military and political leadership. Similarly, an attack with explosive bus bombs and walkie-talkies left hundreds of Hezbollah members wounded.
The war between Israel and Hezbollah has forced thousands of people to flee their homes in both northern Israel and southern Lebanon. Meanwhile, according to Lebanese Health Ministry figures, more than 3,500 Lebanese have been killed and more than 15,000 wounded in more than a year of fighting. On the other side of the border, an estimated 140 Israeli soldiers and civilians have been killed.
