Ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hezbollah ‘within our grasp,’ US envoy says
By
Mike Brest
November 19, 2024 12:23 pm
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Israel and Hezbollah have made progress on a possible ceasefire deal, according to the U.S. official dedicated to trying to end the conflict.
U.S. envoy to the Middle East Amos Hochstein said on Tuesday that the gaps between the two sides had “narrowed” and that “we have a real opportunity to bring this conflict to an end.”
Hochstein met with Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, the interlocutor with Hezbollah, and Prime Minister Najib Mikati in Beirut on Tuesday. Hochstein also said a deal is “within our grasp” but added it is ultimately “the decision of the parties.”
The proposal would include a 60-day transition period in which the Israeli military would withdraw from Lebanon and the Lebanese army would deploy to the area near the Israel-Lebanon border, while Hezbollah would move its heavy weapons north of the Litani River, according to Axios.
“We believe that we’re seeing progress, and we think both sides, both the Lebanese side and the Israeli side, have indicated a willingness to get this done and to get it done on a short time frame,” Jake Sullivan, President Joe Biden’s national security adviser, told PBS. “So, we will continue working at this until we can get both sides to sign on the proverbial dotted line.”
One possible hiccup is Israeli leaders’ demand that they retain the right to carry out future attacks on Hezbollah if the group violates the terms of the ceasefire.
more
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/policy/defense/3234532/ceasefire-israel-hezbollah-progress-hochstein/
