Lebanon reaches cease-fire understanding with US envoy amid tensions with Israel

Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri confirmed Wednesday that Lebanon has reached an understanding with U.S. envoy Amos Hochstein regarding a cease-fire with Israel, underscoring that no changes have been made to the text of U.N. Security Council Resolution 1701.

Berri’s statement contradicts recent Israeli media reports suggesting that Hochstein’s visit to Beirut resulted in a modified version of the resolution to secure a cease-fire.

Lebanese PM hints at potential deal before Nov. 5

Meanwhile, Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati said Hochstein signaled during a phone call Wednesday that a cease-fire in the Israel-Hezbollah conflict could be reached before U.S. elections on Nov. 5.

“The call with Hochstein suggested that perhaps we could reach a cease-fire in the coming days, before the fifth of November,” Mikati said in a televised interview with Lebanese broadcaster Al-Jadeed.

Earlier, Hezbollah’s new Secretary-General Naim Qassem stated that the group would continue resisting Israeli aggression under the condition of “a cease-fire first” through indirect negotiations.

Adopted on Aug. 11, 2006, Resolution 1701 calls for the cessation of hostilities between Lebanon and Israel, the establishment of a demilitarized zone between the Blue Line and the Litani River, and the restriction of weapons possession to the Lebanese army and the U.N. peacekeeping mission (UNIFIL) in the area.

Berri told Saudi Arabia’s Asharq Al-Awsat newspaper that Lebanon remains cautious but is committed to deploying its army to the south as part of implementing the resolution. “There is no intention to alter the text of Resolution 1701—what is written stands, and we are not changing even a single word,” he said.

Berri emphasized that all cease-fire and deployment elements under the resolution are in place, and Lebanon is now awaiting Hochstein’s discussions with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

‘Ball is now in Netanyahu’s court’

Berri confirmed that Lebanon is prepared to commit to the cease-fire once Hochstein and Netanyahu reach an understanding. He stressed the need for guarantees to ensure the agreement is implemented, adding, “The ball is now in Netanyahu’s court.”

Israel’s official broadcaster Kan reported that Hochstein and Brett McGurk, a senior adviser to the U.S. president, are expected to visit Israel on Thursday to advance cease-fire talks.

This visit comes amid what U.S. officials have framed as promising progress toward ending hostilities, despite recent setbacks in similar efforts for Gaza, where Israeli strikes continue.

Analysts suggest Washington’s optimistic approach may be influenced by the upcoming U.S. presidential elections in early November, although Lebanese officials have expressed less enthusiasm.

Israeli media leaks cease-fire agreement draft

Israel’s Channel 12 reported that Israeli Minister for Strategic Affairs Ron Dermer is in talks with the U.S. administration to finalize a political settlement with Lebanon, based on a proposal Hochstein presented during his visit to Beirut.

The proposal reportedly includes an adjusted version of Resolution 1701.

The channel indicated that the revised resolution could involve deploying a multinational force to prevent Hezbollah from reaching the border and establish a mechanism allowing Israeli action in case of renewed Hezbollah military buildup.

Meanwhile, the Israeli press published a document purported to be a draft of the cease-fire agreement.

It was stated that the document is a draft of the agreement written by Hochstein, that it has been reviewed by Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu and his aides, and that final negotiations will take place in the coming days.

Mounting military losses and cease-fire possibility

The discussion of a possible cease-fire comes as Israel faces significant military losses on the Lebanese front. Israel’s Defense Ministry reported that approximately 900 soldiers and officers have been wounded since the start of its ground operations in Lebanon in late September.

Israel launched a major air campaign last month in Lebanon, targeting what it claims are Hezbollah positions amid escalating cross-border warfare since the start of its offensive on Gaza.

Lebanese health authorities report that more than 2,800 people have been killed, and nearly 12,900 injured, in Israeli attacks since October.

Israel expanded the conflict by launching an incursion into southern Lebanon on Oct. 1.