An Israeli official stated on Monday that Israel is progressing toward a ceasefire agreement with Hezbollah in Lebanon.
The Israeli Prime Minister’s office offered no immediate updates on the ceasefire talks. Israeli media reports indicate that the Israeli Security Cabinet will convene on Tuesday to discuss the matter.
Danny Danon, Israel’s Ambassador to the United Nations, told reporters that while the agreement isn’t finalized, progress is being made.
A senior U.S. official informed Axios that Israel and Lebanon have reached a ceasefire agreement, although neither side has formally announced it.
According to the U.S. official, the Israeli Security Cabinet is expected to vote on the agreement Tuesday.
A White House National Security Council spokesperson, acknowledging significant progress, stated that a resolution hasn’t been achieved yet, emphasizing ongoing efforts for a diplomatic solution to ensure the safe return of civilians to their homes on both sides of the Blue Line.
Meanwhile, Dan Shapiro, the Pentagon’s top Middle East policy official, visited Israel and met with Defense Minister Israel Katz in Tel Aviv on Monday, as reported by Axios and the Times of Israel.
Despite Israel’s elimination of most of Hezbollah’s top leaders, the terrorist group continues missile attacks on Israel. Tens of thousands of Israelis evacuated from the border months ago are urging their government to allow their return.
“Israel’s northern war aimed to return its citizens, while Hezbollah sought a Gaza ceasefire,” Amit Segal, chief political analyst for Israel Ch. 12, told Digital. “If Israel succeeded and Hezbollah failed, Israel won. Netanyahu will likely portray the agreement to voters as a temporary ceasefire for rearming and regrouping, awaiting a Trump administration.”
Following a recent visit by a U.S. mediator, Israel struck central Beirut over the weekend, prompting Hezbollah’s largest missile barrage in weeks, as both sides pressured for a deal.
The recent meeting between Israeli officials and U.S. envoy Amos Hochstein was reportedly complicated by the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) arrest warrants for Netanyahu and his former defense minister, Yoav Gallant. Lebanon had favored French mediation, but negotiations faltered when the French Foreign Ministry indicated compliance with the ICC ruling.
A U.S. official reportedly warned French President Emmanuel Macron against mediation while simultaneously intending to arrest the head of state of a party involved.
Since the Hamas attacks on Israel on October 7, 2023, triggering the Gaza war, Israel and Hezbollah have engaged in near-daily exchanges of fire.
Two months ago, Israel launched a widespread bombardment of Lebanon, followed by a ground invasion. The Associated Press reports over 3,500 deaths in Lebanon.
The proposed ceasefire involves an initial two-month truce, with Israeli forces withdrawing from Lebanon and Hezbollah ending its armed presence south of the Litani River.
This withdrawal would be accompanied by a significant increase in Lebanese army troops patrolling the border alongside existing UN peacekeeping forces.
An international committee would oversee the ceasefire’s implementation and UN Security Council resolution 1701 (2006), which aimed to end the 2006 war but remained incomplete. Hezbollah maintained its southern Lebanon presence, while Lebanon cited Israeli airspace violations and territorial occupations.
The success of a new agreement remains uncertain.
Israel’s ambassador to Washington, Michael Herzog, told Israeli Army Radio that the deal aims to improve surveillance and enforcement of the previous resolution. He suggested a deal was imminent, possibly within days, though some points required finalization.
A U.S. official told the AP that negotiations progressed on Sunday, but some issues remained to be resolved.
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