US confirms progress on Israel-Lebanon ceasefire deal

Israel and Lebanon have agreed in principle to a ceasefire deal aimed at ending the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, according to a senior US official.

Although the agreement has not yet been officially announced, it represents a significant development in efforts to halt a year-long conflict that has claimed over 3,500 Lebanese lives and injured more than 15,000 people, Caliber.Az reports citing US media.

If implemented, the deal would enable hundreds of thousands of civilians on both sides of the border to begin returning to their homes.

The Israeli Security Cabinet is expected to approve the agreement on November 26, the official stated. An Israeli official confirmed that the cabinet would meet to discuss the matter. "We believe we have a deal. We’re right at the goal line, but we haven’t crossed it yet. There’s always a chance something could go wrong before the Israeli cabinet’s approval," the US official cautioned.

Four US and Israeli officials had indicated on November 24 that the deal was nearly finalized. White House spokesperson John Kirby echoed this sentiment later, stating, "We are close."

The proposed ceasefire agreement outlines a 60-day transition period during which the Israeli military would withdraw from southern Lebanon, the Lebanese army would take up positions near the border, and Hezbollah would relocate its heavy weapons north of the Litani River. Additionally, a US-led oversight committee would monitor the implementation of the agreement and address any violations.

As part of the deal, the US has agreed to provide Israel with a letter of assurances. This document supports Israeli military action against imminent threats emanating from Lebanese territory and actions to prevent Hezbollah from reestablishing a military presence near the border or smuggling heavy weapons. Under the terms, Israel would coordinate such actions with the US, especially if the Lebanese military fails to address the threats.

The conflict began on October 8, 2023, when Hezbollah launched rockets into Israel, escalating after Israel initiated a ground invasion of Lebanon on October 1, 2024. The majority of casualties have been on the Lebanese side, although approximately 140 Israeli soldiers and civilians have also died.

Negotiations faced significant obstacles, particularly after the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued arrest warrants against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant. The warrants were announced during a meeting between Netanyahu and US envoy Amos Hochstein, who has been mediating between Israel and Lebanon for a year. Netanyahu reacted angrily, especially after France's Foreign Ministry stated its intention to enforce the ICC’s ruling.

This development complicated the talks, as Lebanon had sought French involvement in the oversight committee. President Joe Biden intervened, speaking with French President Emmanuel Macron on Friday to defuse the situation. Biden reportedly told Macron that mediating a deal was incompatible with pursuing the arrest of a party's head of state. Macron responded by clarifying that France’s actions were a legal obligation, but the French Foreign Ministry issued a follow-up statement to ease tensions.

By November 25 the crisis had been resolved. France agreed to improve its relations with Israel, and Israel accepted France’s role in implementing the ceasefire agreement. Macron and Netanyahu also discussed the ICC issue, though no firm commitments were made by France.

Netanyahu held a high-level meeting with ministers and intelligence officials on Sunday to deliberate on the ceasefire talks. A senior Israeli official revealed that the decision was made to move forward with the deal, with an announcement anticipated soon. Another official described the progress as "positive," though some issues remain unresolved.

On November 25, Dan Shapiro, the Pentagon’s top Middle East policy official, was scheduled to arrive in Israel for discussions with Defense Minister Israel Katz and other officials. Meanwhile, Brett McGurk, President Biden’s senior Middle East adviser, is set to visit Saudi Arabia on November 26 to explore how the Lebanon ceasefire could serve as a catalyst for a ceasefire in Gaza, the return of hostages, and broader regional stability, according to White House deputy press secretary Andrew Bates.

By Tamilla Hasanova