Report: Israeli Official Says Government Ready To Approve Cease-fire
Israel is poised to approve a US-brokered cease-fire with Iran-backed Hezbollah on Tuesday, potentially bringing an end to 14 months of conflict that erupted alongside the Gaza war. A senior Israeli official said the security cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, is expected to discuss and likely endorse the proposal during a high-level meeting later in the day.
The cease-fire plan, already approved by Lebanese officials, would include an Israeli withdrawal from southern Lebanon within 60 days and the deployment of the Lebanese Army to the region, a stronghold for Hezbollah. Elias Bou Saab, Lebanon’s deputy parliament speaker, confirmed there are no major obstacles remaining, barring last-minute changes from Netanyahu.
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US President Joe Biden and French President Emmanuel Macron are expected to formally announce the cease-fire once finalized, according to Lebanese sources. White House national security spokesperson John Kirby said Monday, “We’re close,” though he cautioned, “Nothing is done until everything is done.”
The proposed truce comes after a year of escalating violence, during which Israeli airstrikes have devastated parts of Hezbollah-controlled southern Beirut and displaced over one million Lebanese civilians. In northern Israel, the cease-fire would enable the return of 60,000 residents who evacuated amid Hezbollah rocket attacks launched in solidarity with Hamas following its Oct. 7, 2023 assault.
Despite signs of progress, Monday saw intensified fighting, with Israeli airstrikes targeting Hezbollah assets in Beirut. The conflict has left Lebanon grappling with a severe humanitarian crisis and the prospect of a massive reconstruction effort for its battered infrastructure.
The plan, negotiated with Hezbollah ally and Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, underscores Washington’s involvement in pushing for a resolution. While Israel has declined to comment officially on the cease-fire deal, optimism has grown in both Jerusalem and Beirut for an imminent resolution to the violence.
