Israel, Hezbollah ‘very close’ to ceasefire deal, as Lebanese death toll surges

The reports added that a US led oversight committee will be tasked to get the deal implemented and address the violations, if any.

By: Express Web Desk
November 25, 2024 08:52 AM IST

3 min read

Smoke rise from Israeli airstrikes in Dahiyeh, Beirut, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)

Amid the hostilities in the Middle East between Israel and Lebanon based Hezbollah militant group, reports have emerged that both the warring factions are on cusp of a ceasefire deal, according to Axios which quoted two senior Israeli officials and two US officials.

Even though there is an unofficial confirmation about a ceasefire deal, the attack on Lebanon hasn’t subsided and more than 3,000 people have died in Lebanon since the up-tick in hostilities from mid-September, according to the Lebanese health ministry.

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A CNN report also indicated in the same direction suggesting that the deal between Israel and Hezbollah was closer than ever but not fully formed yet. In a statement to CNN, Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s spokesperson “We are moving in this direction, but there are still some issues to address.”

Rescue workers search for victims at the site of an Israeli airstrike that hit central Beirut, Lebanon, Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024. (AP Photo/Hussein Malla)

According to the draft agreement, a 60 day transition period has been sought during which the Israeli military will have to recede the ground in southern Lebanon, the Lebanese military will be deployed in border areas and Hezbollah will move its heavy artilleries to north of the Litani River.

The reports added that a US led oversight committee will be tasked to get the deal implemented and address the violations, if any.

Also Read | Hezbollah fires more than 180 rockets and other projectiles into Israel, wounding at least 7

The deal would also include assurances from the United States to Israel that includes “support for Israeli military action against imminent threats from Lebanese territory, and for action to disrupt things like the reestablishment of a Hezbollah military presence near the border or the smuggling of heavy weapons,” Axios reported.

Also Read | Israel, Hezbollah trade deadly blows despite ceasefire talks

Israel had launched its massive attack on Lebanon in mid-September after engaging in a tit for tat attack as Hezbollah had attacked Tel Aviv in solidarity with Hamas and Palestinians in Gaza.

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The talks for an agreement between Israel and Hezbollah were underway when the International Criminal Court last week issued arrest warrants against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, when he was meeting the US envoy Amos Hochstein.

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