The ongoing ceasefire talks between Israel and Lebanon's Hezbollah are making progress. However, several important issues still remain to be resolved, according to the Israeli government on Monday (November 25). On the other hand, the Israeli ambassador to the United States commented that a deal could be reached within days. British news agency Reuters reported this news.
Ceasefire efforts gained momentum last week, when US mediator Amos Hochstein met in Israel after talks in Beirut and later returned to Washington. He noted that significant progress has been made in the talks.
However, violence escalated amid diplomatic efforts. Israel carried out heavy airstrikes in central Beirut over the weekend, killing at least 29 people. At the same time, the Iran-backed Hezbollah group launched one of its biggest rocket attacks, including 250 missiles.
Israeli government spokesman David Mencer said, “We are moving towards an agreement, but there are still some issues to be resolved.” However, he did not give details.
Israel's ambassador to the United States, Michael Herzog, said a deal was close and could be reached within days. We just need to settle some minor issues.
But Israel's hard-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gavir said Israel must ensure total victory, not a ceasefire. It's not too late, he wrote on social media X, addressing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Stop this deal!
The conflict between Israel and Hezbollah escalated into full-scale war in September. The Israeli army carried out airstrikes across a wide area of ​​Lebanon and deployed troops in southern Lebanon.
Israel killed top commanders, including Hezbollah leader Sayed Hassan Nasrallah, and wreaked havoc in Hezbollah-influenced areas, including southern Beirut.
On Monday, Israel launched new airstrikes in Dahiya, southern Beirut. They claimed it was an attack on Hezbollah's military headquarters. Local residents were previously warned and urged to evacuate the area.
Hezbollah leader Sheikh Naim Qassem said last week that they had reviewed the US ceasefire proposal and that it was now Israel's responsibility to end the war.
Israel claims the ceasefire is aimed at bringing back thousands of refugees from the northern border. The conflict has led to the evacuation of people from northern Israel in the face of massive rocket fire.
Diplomatic efforts to end the conflict have focused on reinstating UN Security Council Resolution 1701. This resolution was adopted after the 2006 Hezbollah-Israel war. It called for Hezbollah to withdraw 30 kilometers from the Israeli border and deploy the regular Lebanese army to the border area.
But before a final deal is reached, pressure from Israeli political circles and the hard-right looms as a major challenge to a ceasefire.
