The Israeli press has reported that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has authorized a ceasefire with Hezbollah in Lebanon.
According to Israeli state television KAN, the Tel Aviv government has given the green light for a ceasefire to Amos Hochstein, a senior adviser to U.S. President Joe Biden, who has been mediating between Israel and Hezbollah. The report noted that Netanyahu and senior ministers held a security consultation meeting last night, during which Netanyahu approved the proposal for a ceasefire agreement in Lebanon.
Discussions reportedly centered on ensuring the freedom of movement for the Israeli army along the Syrian-Lebanese border. Israel has also received assurances from the U.S. regarding its ability to act if the agreement is violated. Unnamed Israeli sources have stated that a ceasefire announcement is expected “within two days.”
The sources further disclosed that the agreement with Lebanon has already been signed, and that Netanyahu is now focused on strategizing its announcement.
However, Michael Herzog, Israel’s ambassador to Washington, told Israel Army Radio that while progress has been made, some details of the agreement remain unresolved.
According to a report in Haaretz, the U.S.-proposed ceasefire involves a three-stage plan: an immediate ceasefire, followed by a withdrawal of Hezbollah forces north of the Litani River, an Israeli withdrawal from southern Lebanon, and the initiation of negotiations between Israel and Lebanon to address disputed border areas.
A U.S.-led international body will oversee the ceasefire’s implementation. Additionally, Israel expects a formal letter from Washington confirming its right to take military action if Hezbollah violates the ceasefire terms and the Lebanese army or international forces fail to act.
Regarding the public framing of the agreement, KAN reported that Netanyahu intends to present the ceasefire as a strategic victory for Israel, rather than a compromise.
Meanwhile, several Israeli media outlets have indicated that Amos Hochstein has communicated to Israel that he may withdraw from the mediation process if there is no positive response to the U.S.-backed ceasefire proposal in the coming days. Netanyahu’s office informed Channel 13 that it had received Hochstein’s message but was uncertain whether it reflected an official U.S. position or an attempt to apply pressure on Israel and Lebanon.
