In Middle Eastern diplomatic circles, a glimmer of hope appears to be emerging as Hezbollah is seriously considering a ceasefire proposal from the United States and Israel, sources familiar with the matter told Fatshimetrie, indicating an intensification of diplomatic efforts to end the conflict between Israel and the Lebanese militant group.
On Thursday evening, U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon Lisa Johnson conveyed the proposal to the Lebanese government, according to a Lebanese official familiar with the discussions. The move is the first joint U.S.-Israeli proposal since a temporary ceasefire was brokered in late September. Earlier negotiations were disrupted by the death of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah in a major attack in Beirut.
Another Lebanese source familiar with the ceasefire discussions told Fatshimetrie that US President-elect Donald Trump has endorsed the ongoing negotiations, which are being conducted under the leadership of the Biden administration’s special envoy to Lebanon, Amos Hochstein.
The Lebanese government is “optimistic” about Hezbollah’s possible acceptance of the terms of the deal and plans to submit a formal response to the latest proposal as early as Monday, according to the first source briefed. “Diplomatic efforts are currently being intensified,” the source added.
The goal of the ceasefire proposal is to establish a 60-day cessation of hostilities in order to lay the foundations for a lasting ceasefire. According to the source, the terms are within the framework of UN Resolution 1701, which ended the war between Lebanon and Israel in 2006. The resolution stipulates that only the Lebanese army and UN peacekeeping forces should be present in the region south of the Litani River in Lebanon.
“The main points of discussion are the implementation mechanism and the role of the Lebanese Armed Forces in implementing Resolution 1701 south of the Litani River,” the source said, adding that issues related to smuggling routes across the country’s international borders are also being discussed.
Fatshimetrie reached out to the US Embassy in Beirut for comment on the ceasefire negotiations, but the latter declined to comment. The outcome of the negotiations remains to be seen closely, but the possibility of a de-escalation in the region now appears within reach.
In conclusion, recent progress in ceasefire talks between Hezbollah and Israel offers a glimmer of hope for a peaceful resolution to this regional conflict.