Israel and Hezbollah Nearing Ceasefire Agreement

Israel and Hezbollah, the Iran-backed militant group, are reportedly on the verge of finalising a ceasefire agreement aimed at ending the ongoing conflict that erupted 14 months ago during the Gaza war. The violence has claimed thousands of lives.

Officials from both Israel and Lebanon expressed optimism on Tuesday about concluding the deal, which could alleviate pressure on Israel’s military as it simultaneously battles Hamas in Gaza. A senior Israeli official disclosed that the country’s security cabinet would convene later in the day, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expected to approve the ceasefire terms.

Lebanese Foreign Minister Abdallah Bou Habib also voiced optimism, stating at a conference in Rome that the deal could be secured by Tuesday night.

Under the proposed agreement, Israeli troops would withdraw from southern Lebanon, transferring control of the area to the Lebanese Army within 60 days. Hezbollah would end its armed presence south of the Litani River. The Lebanese Army plans to deploy at least 5,000 troops in the area as part of the arrangement.

The United States and France are expected to endorse the ceasefire, with the U.S. potentially assisting in rebuilding Lebanon’s damaged infrastructure following months of Israeli airstrikes.

Israel has warned that it will adopt a “zero-tolerance” approach to any violations of the agreement, as stated by Defence Minister Israel Katz. The deal would also allow displaced residents in northern Israel to return to their homes.

Despite progress on the diplomatic front, military activities persisted on Tuesday. Israeli airstrikes hit Hezbollah-controlled areas in southern Beirut, while Hezbollah launched retaliatory rocket attacks into Israel. The U.N. rights chief has raised concerns over the rising civilian death toll in Lebanon, where nearly 100 people have been killed in recent Israeli airstrikes. Israel claims its strikes target military installations while accusing Hezbollah of using civilians as shields, a charge Hezbollah denies.