Lebanon, Israel almost 'close' to ceasefire deal, officials say

Lebanon and Israel have reportedly agreed to the terms of a ceasefire deal brokered by the United States, officials say. 

US officials and Israeli sources told American news website Axios that the deal was nearly final.

“We think we have a deal. We are on the goal line but we haven't passed it yet. The Israeli cabinet needs to approve the deal on Tuesday and something can always go wrong until then,” a US official was quoted by Axios as saying. 

US President Joe Biden's senior adviser Amos Hochstein said he believed “there is a shot” of securing a ceasefire deal in Lebanon soon.

Israel's ambassador to Washington said Monday a ceasefire deal could be reached “within days.”

Mike Herzog told Israeli Army Radio there remain “points to finalize” and any deal requires agreement from Tel Aviv. But he said “we are close to a deal.” 

Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu reportedly held a meeting on the ceasefire talks on Sunday. It included several senior ministers and intelligence chiefs of the regime.

The agreement was nearing completion on November 21, when the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued arrest warrants against the Israeli prime minister, Netanyahu, and his ousted war minister Yoav Gallant, sources said. 

The draft ceasefire agreement includes a 60-day transition period during which the Israeli military would withdraw from southern Lebanon, the Lebanese army would deploy in areas close to the border and Hezbollah resistance fighters would move north of the Litani River.

President Biden and French President Emmanuel Macron are expected to announce a ceasefire deal on Tuesday under existing plans, four senior Lebanese sources told the pan-Arab Asharq al-Awsat newspaper.

“We are continuing to work with … our American partners toward this direction … we hope all involved will seize this opportunity as soon as possible,” the French presidency said in a statement.

The White House said earlier that a deal is “close”, without providing more details.

"We believe we've reached this point where we're close," National Security Council spokesman John Kirby told reporters, adding however that "we're not there yet."

"We believe that the trajectory of this is going in a very positive direction -- but again nothing is done until everything is done, nothing is negotiated until everything is negotiated."

Hezbollah has not commented on the matter so far.

Hezbollah targets Israel's military base with 'squadron of attack drones'

Hezbollah attack drones hit Israel

In a televised speech on Wednesday, Hezbollah Secretary-General Sheikh Naim Qassem said the Lebanese group had reviewed the US-drafted ceasefire proposal and had given feedback on it.

Qassem said a deal now rested with Israel and the “seriousness” of Netanyahu. He said Hezbollah would keep negotiating and fighting at the same time.

“We are operating on two parallel tracks: the battlefield, which progresses in an escalating manner, and negotiations. We do not suspend the battlefield while awaiting negotiations.”

Sheikh Qassem said Israel cannot impose its conditions on Hezbollah and that the group would not accept any truce that violates Lebanese sovereignty.

Hezbollah seeks a "complete and comprehensive end to aggression" and "the preservation of Lebanon's sovereignty," he said. "The Israeli enemy cannot enter (Lebanese territory) whenever it wants."

Hezbollah to target Tel Aviv in response to Israeli attacks on Beirut: Sheikh Qassem

The leader of Hezbollah says the movement is determined to fight a long war against Israel, and that their response to the recent deadly airstrike on Beirut will be to target central Tel Aviv.

Hezbollah’s performance against the Israeli invaders has simply been robust. The Resistance fighters have been repelling incursions and launching precise strikes deep into the occupied territories.

Hezbollah has said by conducting the operations, it has broken the record of the number of strikes that it had carried out against the regime since October 7, 2023.

On Monday, the vice president of the Political Council of Hezbollah, Mahmoud Qamati, said the Resistance “will not allow the enemy to settle on any part of the Lebanese land.”

“Netanyahu will not be able to impose his conditions through fire,” Qamati said.

He, meanwhile, said the United States did not qualify to act as a mediator. Washington, the official added, was “rather a partner in the aggression.”

“The weapons that killed the Palestinian and Lebanese people are the American weapons.”

Press TV’s website can also be accessed at the following alternate addresses:

www.presstv.co.uk