Ceasefire Agreement in Lebanon: Progress Amidst Opposition
In recent developments, there is growing anticipation for a ceasefire agreement in Lebanon, despite objections from several Israeli ministers within Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government. The White House has confirmed that President Joe Biden is actively engaged in diplomatic efforts to facilitate this agreement, with significant progress reported in negotiations. US envoy Amos Hochstein and a team of administration officials are working closely on this initiative, while Biden's Middle East advisor, Brett McGurk, is set to meet in Saudi Arabia to discuss leveraging the agreement as a means to halt hostilities in Gaza.
US National Security Council spokesman John Kirby emphasized that while substantial progress has been made, a ceasefire has not yet been finalized. He reiterated the importance of a political solution that allows civilians from both sides of the Blue Line to return home safely. Additionally, State Department spokesman Matthew Miller highlighted that any agreement requires mutual approval from both Lebanon and Israel, stating, "We have made significant progress toward reaching a solution. But we are not finished yet."
Lebanese officials, including Foreign Minister Abdullah Bou Habib, have expressed readiness to fulfill obligations under Security Council Resolution 1701, viewing its implementation as crucial for regional stability. Deputy Speaker of the Lebanese Parliament, Elias Bou Saab, hinted at a decisive development in the coming days, although he expressed skepticism regarding Netanyahu's reliability.
In Israel, Netanyahu is expected to convene a series of meetings to discuss the potential ceasefire agreement. Reports indicate that an expanded cabinet meeting may take place today, potentially leading to a final vote on the deal. Israeli officials have suggested that the agreement could be approved, with the US expected to supervise its implementation for a period of 60 days. Israeli Ambassador to Washington, Michael Herzog, indicated that an agreement with Lebanon could be reached within days, although he acknowledged that Israel retains the right to respond militarily in the event of a breach.
However, opposition to the ceasefire is mounting within the Israeli government. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir have publicly opposed the agreement, arguing that it represents a missed opportunity to weaken Hezbollah. Ben-Gvir has called for the continuation of military operations against Lebanon, while Smotrich dismissed the potential agreement as lacking substance unless Hezbollah is decisively defeated. Israeli media have reported on ongoing disputes regarding the supervisory mechanism for the agreement and the contentious border issues that remain unresolved.
The proposed ceasefire agreement includes provisions for Hezbollah's withdrawal from southern Lebanon and disarmament in the area between the Litani River and the Israeli border, alongside allowing unarmed Lebanese residents to return to their towns while preventing Hezbollah's return. The Israeli army would retain operational freedom in southern Lebanon should Hezbollah violate the terms of the agreement.
