Heavy smoke rises during an Israeli airstrike that targeted Beirut's southern suburbs on November 23, 2024. (AFP Photo)
By Newsroom
Nov 25, 2024 10:10 AM
Israel and Lebanon are nearing a cease-fire agreement aimed at ending the yearlong conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, according to senior Israeli and U.S. officials speaking to the Axios’ Barak David.
The deal could be finalized within days, pending the resolution of the remaining issues.
Israeli military withdrawal from southern Lebanon.
Lebanese army deployment near the border.
Hezbollah relocating heavy weapons north of the Litani River.
A U.S.-led oversight committee will monitor compliance and address violations.
The U.S. has provided Israel with a letter of assurances supporting defensive actions against imminent threats or weapons smuggling from Lebanese territory.
A Handout photo released by the Lebanese parliament press office on November 24, 2024, shows Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri (R) meeting with European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell in Beirut. Borrell called for an “immediate ceasefire” in the Israel-Hezbollah war, while on a visit to the Lebanese capital for talks. (Photo by LEBANESE PARLIAMENT / AFP) / === RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE – MANDATORY CREDIT “AFP PHOTO / HO /LEBANESE PARLIAMENT PRESS OFFICE” – NO MARKETING – NO ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS – DISTRIBUTED AS A SERVICE TO CLIENTS ===Firefighters use a bulldozer as they attempt to douse flames on higher floors of a building at the site of an Israeli airstrike on Lebanon’s al-Hadath area near Beiruts southern suburbs on November 24, 2024, as the war between Israel and the Lebanese Hezbollah group continues. (Photo by AFP)A Handout photo released by the Lebanese Prime Minister’s press office on November 24, 2024, shows Lebanons caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati (R) meeting with European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell in Beirut. (Photo by Lebanese Prime Minister’s Press Office / AFP) / === RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE – MANDATORY CREDIT “AFP PHOTO / HO / PRIME MINISTER’S PRESS OFFICE” – NO MARKETING – NO ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS – DISTRIBUTED AS A SERVICE TO CLIENTS ===Smoke rises from the site of an Israeli airstrike that targeted an area in Beiruts southern suburbs on November 24, 2024, amid the ongoing war between Israel and Hezbollah. (Photo by AFP)
Impact of Lebanon-Israel conflict
Over 3,500 Lebanese civilians have been killed and 15,000 injured during the yearlong conflict.
Approximately 140 Israeli soldiers and civilians have died.
Hundreds of thousands of civilians on both sides have been displaced and await the opportunity to return home.
A man looks on as rescuers sift through the rubble of a levelled building, following an overnight Israeli airstrike that targeted Beiruts Basta neighbourhood on November 23, 2024. – Lebanon’s health ministry said at least four people were killed in an Israeli strike in the heart of Beirut on November 23, with rescue operations still ongoing. (Photo by Fadel ITANI / AFP)A UN vehicle drives past destruction following an overnight airstrike that targeted the eastern entrance of the southern Lebanese city of Tyre on November 19, 2024, amid the ongoing war between Israel and Hezbollah. (Photo by KAWNAT HAJU / AFP)Rescuers remove the body of a victim extracted from the rubble of a levelled building, following an overnight Israeli airstrike that targeted Beiruts Basta neighbourhood on November 23, 2024. – Lebanon’s health ministry said at least four people were killed in an Israeli strike in the heart of Beirut on November 23, with rescue operations still ongoing. (Photo by AFP)A man walks amid destruction in Beiruts southern Haret Hreik neighbourhood a day after an Israeli airstrike targeted the site, on November 18, 2024, as the war between Israel and Lebanon’s Hezbollah group continues. (Photo by AFP)
Challenges in reaching cease-fire deal
Negotiations reportedly faced complications last week after the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant.
France’s decision to implement the ICC ruling added tension, as Lebanon had pushed for French participation in the oversight committee.
U.S. envoy Amos Hochstein, who has mediated for over a year, threatened to withdraw if progress was not made soon.
Lebanon’s former president Michel Aoun (C) during a meeting with U.S. special envoy Amos Hochstein (2nd R), US Ambassador to Lebanon Lisa Johnson (R) along with Lebanon’s former ambassador to the US Gabriel Issa (L) and former minister Saleim Jreissati, at his residence in Rabieh, east of Beirut, on November 20, 2024. (Photo by Facebook page of Lebanon’s former president Michel Aoun / AFP)
Next steps
Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu must present the agreement to Israel’s Security Cabinet for approval.
U.S. officials, including ex-U.S. Ambassador to Israel, currently Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for the Middle East Dan Shapiro are set to visit Israel for further discussions with Defense Minister Israel Katz.
Heavy smoke rises during an Israeli airstrike that targeted Beirut's southern suburbs on November 23, 2024. (AFP Photo)
