Israel is poised to approve a U.S. plan for a ceasefire with the Lebanese group Hezbollah, a senior Israeli official said Tuesday (26). The move could pave the way for an end to a 14-month conflict that has claimed thousands of lives since the war in the Gaza Strip began.
The optimism was shared by Lebanon's Foreign Minister Abdallah Bou Habib, who expressed hope at a G7 meeting in Italy that a ceasefire would be announced by the end of the day.
Israel's security cabinet is due to meet later today to discuss and possibly approve the text, in a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the official said.
If approved, the plan will allow for a formal declaration of a ceasefire by Presidents Joe Biden (US) and Emmanuel Macron (France), four Lebanese sources told Reuters.
In Washington, White House national security spokesman John Kirby said Monday: “We are close, but nothing is done until everything is done.” The French presidency confirmed significant progress in talks between Israel and Iran-backed Hezbollah.
Main terms of the agreement
According to the plan, Israeli troops are to withdraw from southern Lebanon within 60 days, to be replaced by the Lebanese army in the region currently controlled by Hezbollah. The group is also to end its armed presence south of the Litani River, officials said.
In Lebanon, authorities have already approved the deal. Elias Bou Saab, deputy speaker of the Lebanese parliament, said there were no longer any significant obstacles to its implementation unless Netanyahu backtracks.
Conflict amid negotiations
As negotiations progress, Israeli airstrikes continue to destroy southern Beirut suburbs controlled by Hezbollah. In response, the group has stepped up rocket fire into Israel.
The damage caused by the attacks has left more than 1 million people homeless in Lebanon, worsening the humanitarian crisis in the middle of winter. Meanwhile, in Israel, a ceasefire will allow around 60,000 people to return to the north of the country. These people had been evacuated due to Hezbollah attacks, which took place in support of Hamas. These attacks were in the context of the October 7, 2023 attack.
Israel says it has dealt significant blows to Hezbollah since September, including the killing of its leader, Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, and other commanders.
Human impact
Over the past year, the conflict in Lebanon has caused more than 3,750 deaths and forced one million people to flee their homes, according to the Lebanese Health Ministry. Meanwhile, Hezbollah attacks have resulted in the deaths of 45 civilians in northern Israel and the Golan Heights. There have also been 73 Israeli soldiers killed in combat.
“As for the ceasefire, I believe it will be implemented. Both sides are exhausted,” said Selim Ayoub, a 37-year-old mechanic from Beirut’s southern suburbs.
Source: Notícias Agrícolas
