Media: Israel seeks Russia's support in proposed Lebanon ceasefire agreement

Israel is currently exploring a potential ceasefire agreement in Lebanon, engaging with international mediators to facilitate the process.

The deal, if finalised, could come before the upcoming US presidential election on November 5. Israel is also keen for Russia to play a role in this initiative, Caliber.Az reports citing Israeli media's sources.

Sources describe the negotiations as being "at an advanced stage." Amos Hochstein, the US Deputy Assistant to the President and Senior Adviser for Energy Security at the State Department, has been acting as a mediator between Israel and Lebanon.

During a recent visit to Beirut, he reached preliminary agreements, and he may visit Israel ahead of the US election to finalise the terms of a proposed accord.

The framework for the proposed settlement includes three main components.

The first involves implementing United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701, which mandates the withdrawal of Hezbollah's armed units from the Israel-Lebanon border to areas beyond the Litani River in southern Lebanon. 

In parallel, additional Lebanese Army units would be stationed in these border areas, with the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) peacekeepers receiving reinforcements to enhance stability.

The second component proposes an international mechanism to monitor compliance with these terms. Israel seeks to retain the right to "act independently" should Hezbollah violate the agreement and Lebanon or UNIFIL prove unable to contain the group’s activities.

The third aspect of the plan focuses on creating conditions to prevent Hezbollah from rearming, including measures to block arms deliveries by land, sea, or air.

In fact, Israel views Russia as a potentially valuable partner in implementing the agreement. According to a foreign source cited by the portal, Russia could assume a "special role" in executing the settlement and preventing further escalation in the region. 

Israel is keen on Russia's involvement, seeing it as a stabilising factor that would bolster the agreement’s durability. Furthermore, Russian participation could reduce dependence on US influence in the regional stabilisation process.

In recent days, Israel has also sought to involve other nations in this diplomatic effort, though Ynet has not specified which countries may be included.

By Aghakazim Guliyev