Israeli officials said that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s security cabinet is planning to meet on Tuesday to discuss a ceasefire proposal with Hezbollah in Lebanon, which could mark the first agreement of its kind with the Lebanese militia or with Hamas since the conflict erupted with both groups on October 7th of last year.
The Israeli ambassador in Washington stated that this agreement could be finalized "in a matter of days." Mike Herzog declared to the Israeli Army Radio that there are still "points to finalize" and any agreement requires government approval. He noted, however, that "we are close to an agreement" and "it could happen in a matter of days."
According to the information provided by CNN, Netanyahu began talking to Israeli officials on Sunday and this time he would be inclined to approve it. His spokesperson said he expects the agreement to be ratified.
What are the details of the potential ceasefire?
Outstanding issues include Israel's demand to reserve the right to take action in case Hezbollah violates its obligations as provided for in the agreement.
The agreement aims to withdraw the political-paramilitary group and the Israeli forces from southern Lebanon.
According to information from the New York Times, Israeli forces would withdraw from Lebanon within 60 days, while Hezbollah would move north of the Litani River. The Lebanese army would be in charge of this exclusion zone.
Israel has accused Hezbollah of not adhering to the United Nations resolution that ended the 2006 war between the two parties, in which similar provisions were established. In turn, Lebanon claims that Israel also violated the 2006 resolution and complains that Israeli military aircraft and warships enter Lebanese territory even when there is no active conflict.
At the moment, it is unknown if Lebanon will accept the demand.
Will the agreement be finalized this time?
The optimism surrounding an agreement comes after a high-ranking US envoy held talks with both parties last week in an attempt to end the conflict.
In any case, far-right groups, which are fundamental for the alliance under which Netanyahu governs, are opposed to a ceasefire. Israel's National Security Minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir, said that "an agreement with Lebanon is a big mistake. A historic missed opportunity to eradicate Hezbollah...As I warned before in Gaza, I now warn as well: Prime Minister, it is not too late to stop this agreement! We must continue until absolute victory!"
The Joe Biden administration, which dispatched a negotiator last week, hopes that the agreement will be finalized before Thanksgiving Day, which is celebrated this Thursday in the United States.
Hezbollah began attacking Israel on October 8, 2023, one day after Hamas's incursion into southern Israel that triggered over a year of fighting. These attacks escalated into a large-scale war with an intense Israeli aerial offensive in Lebanon, followed by a ground incursion into the southern part of the country.
The Lebanese militia has launched thousands of rockets towards Israeli cities and towns, including around 250 on Sunday.
In turn, Israel has caused thousands of deaths in attacks in southern Lebanon and the southern suburbs of Beirut, controlled by Hezbollah. Additionally, at the end of September, they killed Hassan Nasrallah, the leader of the organization.