Lebanon lived the last hours with its eyes focused on the intense bombings throughout the country and its ears attentive to the negotiations that are currently taking place, which threaten to be the most fruitful in more than a year of war. This is confirmed by sources close to the conversations in which the United States mediates against Israel and Hezbollah.
“Very significant progress has been made,” a source said of the proposal that American mediator Amos Hochstein presented to both sides last week on a trip to the region.
The Israeli security cabinet will meet on Tuesday, November 26, to evaluate the proposal.
The offer consists of three stages: a truce followed by the withdrawal of Hezbollah forces north of the Litani River; a complete withdrawal of Israeli troops from southern Lebanon, and finally, negotiations between Israel and Lebanon over the demarcation of their border, which is currently a dividing line set by the UN after the 2006 war.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accepted the proposal “in principle,” something that Beirut and Hezbollah left in Israel’s hands. But the premier of the Jewish-majority state would have “some reservations,” sources indicated, about a document that is still under review.
The reluctance of the Llikud leader is related to the “freedom of action” that Israel demands to be able to undertake military actions within Lebanon if Hezbollah breaks the terms of the ceasefire and the Lebanese troops, who must take control of the border, do not act. , something that Beirut and the Shiite group categorically reject.
The proposed agreement also contemplates the creation of an international organization headed by the United States, which would be in charge of supervising compliance with the cessation of hostilities, in which the United Kingdom, Germany and France would also participate.
“We are moving towards an agreement, but there are still issues to resolve,” Israeli Government spokesman David Mencer also indicated today, without giving more details in his daily press conference.
The Israeli ambassador in Washington, Michael Herzog, assured that a ceasefire agreement could be reached “in a matter of days.”
As he told Israeli Army Radio, there are “points to be finalized” and he stated that any pact requires the approval of the Government of his country. But he showed optimism: “We are close to an agreement” and “it could happen in days,” he stressed.
Optimism on the part of Washington is even greater. As reported by Reuters, a US source highlighted that the agreement could come “in a matter of hours.”
Hostilities increase in Lebanon
While in the corridors of Washington, Beirut and Israel they negotiate a possible truce agreement, the Lebanese territory and the north of the Jewish-majority state are red hot with constant bombings from both sides of the conflict.
As reported in a statement by the Lebanese Ministry of Public Health, this Monday, November 25, at least nine people were killed and four were injured in two attacks by the Israeli Army against two locations, in the district of Tire, in southern Lebanon.
At the same time as the attacks, the number of fatalities increases: at least 3,754 people have died in Lebanon and 15,626 have been injured, after more than a year of the escalation of hostilities between Hezbollah and Israel, according to the latest update from the Ministry of Defense. Lebanese health.
Meanwhile, several areas in the south of the capital, Beirut, were again attacked by Israeli aircraft this Monday.
They are not safe in Israel either. An Israeli was injured by shrapnel in the head in Nahariya, in the north of the country, after about 20 rockets were fired by Hezbollah.
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**How does the proposed ceasefire agreement attempt to address the long-standing issue of Lebanon and Israel’s border demarcation, and what are the potential implications of this element for achieving a lasting peace?** (This question delves into a specific aspect of the ceasefire proposal and encourages analysis of its significance.)
## World Today News Exclusive Interview: Is a Ceasefire on the Horizon for Lebanon?
**Welcome to World Today News. Today, we delve into the tense situation in Lebanon and the possibility of a ceasefire agreement.**
**Our guests today are:**
* **Dr. Sarah El-Amin:** Professor of Middle Eastern Studies at Georgetown University, specializing in Lebanese politics and international relations.
* **Mr. David Cohen:** Former Israeli diplomat and security analyst, with extensive experience in the Middle East peace process.
**Section 1: The Proposed Ceasefire Agreement**
**(Host):** Dr. El-Amin, the article mentions a three-stage proposal for a ceasefire agreement. Can you break down the key elements and the potential implications for Lebanon?
**(Dr. El-Amin):** Certainly. The proposal presented by the US mediator, Amos Hochstein, aims for a phased approach.
First, an immediate ceasefire. Then, Hezbollah withdrawal north of the Litani River, followed by a complete Israeli troop withdrawal from southern Lebanon. negotiations between Lebanon and Israel for the demarcation of their border. This last point is crucial as it tries to address a long-standing source of tension.
**(Host):** Mr. Cohen, what are your thoughts on this proposal from an Israeli perspective? Does it adequately address Israel’s security concerns?
**(Mr. Cohen):** While Israel has reportedly accepted the proposal “in principle,” there are significant reservations. The issue of “freedom of action” is paramount. Israel insists on maintaining the right to act militarily within Lebanon if Hezbollah violates the ceasefire terms.
**Section 2: Challenges and Obstacles**
**(Host):** Dr. El-Amin, what are the biggest hurdles to reaching a lasting peace agreement?
**(Dr. El-Amin):** Beyond the “freedom of action” clause, there’s the delicate issue of Hezbollah’s disarmament. This is a non-negotiable demand for Israel, but deeply contested within Lebanon. Additionally, mistrust between the parties runs deep, making it difficult to build confidence.
**(Host):** Mr. Cohen, how does Israel view Hezbollah’s role in Lebanon? How might this influence the negotiations?
**(Mr. Cohen):** Israel considers Hezbollah a terrorist organization and a proxy for Iran. Its military presence on Israel’s border is a major security threat. Therefore, any agreement must ensure Hezbollah’s disarmament and prevent Iran’s influence from expanding.
**Section 3: International Involvement and the Future**
**(Host):** The article mentions an international organization overseeing the ceasefire. What role can the international community play in facilitating a lasting peace?
**(Dr. El-Amin):** The involvement of the US, UK, Germany, and France is essential to provide guarantees and monitoring. This could help build trust and ensure compliance with the agreement. International pressure on all parties is crucial to prevent a return to violence.
**(Host):** Mr. Cohen, how do you see the future unfolding in the region?
**(Mr. Cohen):** I remain cautiously optimistic. While a complete ceasefire agreement is a significant step, the road to a lasting peace is long and complex. Continued international involvement, coupled with genuine commitment from all parties, is essential to break the cycle of violence and build a brighter future for Lebanon and the region.
** (Host):** Thank you both for your insightful perspectives. This is a developing story, and we will continue to follow these crucial developments on World Today News.
