Bayan News – Two informed American officials told international media on Thursday (October 31) that negotiations to reach a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon have made significant progress over the past 24 hours.
According to Al Arabiya, these negotiations took a more serious turn following a recent visit by U.S. Special Envoy Amos Hochstein to Israel and his phone call with Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati. Officials have expressed optimism that a final agreement will be reached soon.
Najib Mikati also expressed hope that a ceasefire could be achieved within hours or, at most, a few days, noting that Hochstein mentioned the possibility of announcing a ceasefire before November 5. Mikati also cited Hezbollah’s delay in separating the Lebanon front from Gaza as a factor complicating the situation.
Separately, the Israeli Broadcasting Authority has released a document presented as a draft of the Lebanon ceasefire agreement. According to this document, both sides agree to a complete cessation of military actions between Lebanon and Israel, with the responsibility for enforcing this agreement in southern Lebanon assigned to the Lebanese Army.
The draft grants Israel the right to conduct military operations within Lebanon in coordination with the United States and requires that Israel withdraw its forces from Lebanon within seven days. The full implementation of the agreement will occur under a 60-day ceasefire, during which the Lebanese Army will monitor the area, station forces along the border, and seize Hezbollah’s weapons in southern Lebanon.
At the end of this 60-day period, indirect negotiations between Israel and Lebanon will begin, mediated by the United States, to fully implement U.N. Security Council Resolution 1701 and resolve border disputes.
Israel Bombards Historic Lebanese City of Baalbek Following Evacuation Order
