Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu convenes with senior ministers and security officials to discuss a potential peace agreement that could reshape regional dynamics.
According to The Times of Israel, Israel has tentatively agreed to a US-mediated ceasefire proposal with Hezbollah, marking a significant shift in the ongoing conflict along the Lebanese border.
The discussions come amid escalating tensions, with Hezbollah launching over 250 rockets and drones at northern and central Israel throughout Sunday. The terrorist organization has maintained near-daily attacks on Israeli communities and military posts since October 8, 2023, leading to the evacuation of approximately 60,000 residents from northern towns.
The proposed agreement outlines a comprehensive approach to achieving stability in the region. The plan encompasses three distinct phases, beginning with an immediate ceasefire and Hezbollah's withdrawal north of the Litani River. This would be followed by an Israeli military pullout from southern Lebanon and culminate in negotiations between both nations regarding disputed border territories.
US special envoy Amos Hochstein has emphasized the urgency of accepting the deal, warning Israeli officials that rejection could delay further American mediation efforts until after Donald Trump takes office in January. Former US ambassador to Israel Dan Shapiro is scheduled to arrive Monday to assist in finalizing the agreement's details.
The Lebanese Army would assume responsibility for preventing Hezbollah from reestablishing its presence in southern Lebanon, with an international body led by the United States overseeing ceasefire compliance.
The conflict has exacted a significant toll on both sides since its escalation in October 2023. Israeli northern communities have suffered 44 civilian casualties, while 71 IDF soldiers and reservists have lost their lives in cross-border confrontations, and the subsequent ground operation launched in late September.
Israel intensified its offensive against Hezbollah in Lebanon in September, conducting extensive strikes that eliminated much of the group's leadership, including longtime leader Hassan Nasrallah. The IDF has continued to push deeper into southern Lebanon through ground operations.
Hezbollah has attempted to maintain strategic deterrence through increased attacks. As reported by Channel 12, Israeli officials anticipated this escalation as negotiations progressed, viewing it as Hezbollah's demonstration of sustained military capability.
Netanyahu's administration is carefully crafting its public presentation of the agreement. The strategy focuses on highlighting the benefits for Israel rather than portraying it as a compromise, while ensuring provisions for military response capabilities should Hezbollah violate the terms.
The US has promised to provide written assurance of Israel's right to military action if Lebanon's forces and international peacekeepers fail to respond to ceasefire violations. This guarantee forms a crucial component of Israel's security considerations within the agreement framework.
Washington's commitment to monitoring and enforcing the agreement represents a significant diplomatic investment in regional stability. The proposal's success could establish a new paradigm for managing tensions along the Israeli-Lebanese border.
The Netanyahu administration's consideration of the US-brokered ceasefire agreement with Hezbollah marks a potential turning point in the Lebanon-Israel conflict. The proposal, currently under review in Jerusalem, outlines a three-stage peace process, including Hezbollah's withdrawal north of the Litani River and eventual border negotiations. The success of this agreement could potentially enable the return of 60,000 evacuated Israeli residents to their northern communities while establishing new security protocols along the volatile border region.
