US presents ceasefire proposal to Lebanese authorities to ease Israel-Hezbollah conflict

The United States has handed over a draft ceasefire agreement to Lebanese authorities, aimed at de-escalating the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hezbollah.

US Ambassador to Lebanon, Lisa Johnson, presented the proposal to Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, a key political figure closely linked with Hezbollah, Caliber.Az reports per foreign media.

The move is significant, as Berri, a Shiite Muslim, heads the parliament according to Lebanon’s constitution, which designates the parliamentary speaker as a Muslim Shiite. This reflects the strategic choice of engaging with Berri, who is expected to consult directly with Hezbollah on the terms outlined in the American proposal.

The draft ceasefire is expected to be grounded in UN Security Council Resolution 1701, which has previously sought to bring peace to the region. According to sources, the agreement is designed to encourage both sides to halt hostilities and begin negotiations under the framework of the UN resolution.

Meanwhile, another important political development unfolded as Ali Larijani, a senior advisor to Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, arrived in Beirut from Damascus. Larijani's visit is speculated to be linked to the US ceasefire proposal, with some sources suggesting that the delivery of the proposal coincides with his arrival. Speaking before his arrival in Lebanon, Larijani remarked that "all space for negotiations must fit entirely within the confines of Resolution 1701."

In a related diplomatic development, over 80 Democratic members of the US Congress have called on President Joe Biden’s administration to impose sanctions on two Israeli ministers: National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich.

In a letter sent in late October, 17 senators and 71 members of the House of Representatives accused Ben-Gvir and Smotrich of inciting violence among Israeli settlers on the West Bank against the Palestinian population. Biden administration has so far resisted these calls, with sources indicating that President Biden does not support sanctions against elected officials of an allied democratic state.

The situation in Lebanon remains tense, as US officials express concern over Israeli airstrikes on Beirut. The US State Department’s deputy spokesperson, Vedant Patel, voiced Washington's unease regarding the air raids, which resulted in 21 fatalities in the Lebanese capital. "Of course, we are concerned. You have heard from us before that we do not want to see such regular operations in Beirut, especially in densely populated areas. This is something we will continue to focus on in our discussions with our Israeli partners," Patel stated during a press briefing.

Patel also reiterated the US stance on the need for a diplomatic solution to the conflict in line with Resolution 1701, stressing that the resolution must serve as the basis for returning displaced civilians on both sides of the "Blue Line" – the demarcation line between Lebanon and Israel, monitored by UN peacekeepers.

Notably, the Israeli Air Force carried out strikes on three Hezbollah targets in southern Beirut. Explosions rocked the areas of Ghobeiri and Shiyah, with thick plumes of smoke rising from the strike sites. A source in Lebanon's civil defence reported that the buildings targeted in Ghobeiri housed Hezbollah offices. In Shia suburb in the south of Beirut, repeated bombings were reported on November 14.

Israeli military forces had earlier issued a warning via social media about the airstrikes, advising residents to remain vigilant ahead of the attacks.

As the situation continues to evolve, the international community is watching closely, with hopes that the ceasefire proposal could pave the way for much-needed dialogue and a return to stability in the region.

By Aghakazim Guliyev