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A ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hezbollah is poised to go into effect within hours, according to multiple reports from Lebanese, Saudi, and American sources.
The announcement follows extensive negotiations, with a 60-day transition period expected to begin shortly after the deal is finalized.
This period will see the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) withdraw from southern Lebanon, the Lebanese army deploy along the border, and Hezbollah relocate its heavy weapons north of the Litani River.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office confirmed that the government will vote on the proposed ceasefire agreement on Tuesday, with expectations that it will pass despite opposition from hardline figures such as National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir.
According to Netanyahu’s spokesman, a cabinet meeting will follow to finalize the agreement before it goes to the government for approval.
The breakthrough is the result of intense mediation efforts by the United States and France. U.S. President Joe Biden and French President Emmanuel Macron are expected to publicly announce the ceasefire on Tuesday, according to Lebanese and Saudi media outlets.
These diplomatic leaders are also said to be overseeing a “Biden-Macron plan” to ensure that the ceasefire holds, with both sides working to meet the key conditions laid out in the agreement.
Reports indicate that both Lebanon and Saudi Arabia have confirmed that the ceasefire is set to take effect soon.
Israeli officials have been working under pressure to resolve the conflict, particularly following recent international developments, including the International Criminal Court’s decision to issue arrest warrants for Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant.
These warrants briefly delayed the agreement, as negotiators feared that they might prompt Hezbollah to harden its stance. However, recent developments suggest that an agreement is now within reach.
Israeli officials have reportedly voiced concerns that if the ceasefire is not agreed upon in the coming days, the United States may withdraw its support for further mediation, which would likely leave Lebanon without a viable diplomatic resolution.
These fears have spurred efforts to finalize the deal, which Israel views as an opportunity to secure long-term peace along its northern border.
As part of the negotiations, Israel has demanded several conditions, including a significant overhaul of the UNIFIL peacekeeping mission in southern Lebanon.
One major demand involves the appointment of an American general to head the committee that will oversee the implementation of the ceasefire agreement.
Israel also seeks the stationing of 200 American soldiers in southern Lebanon—an unprecedented move that would echo a similar deployment that lasted until 1983 when U.S. forces withdrew following attacks on their positions.
Despite positive reports, there are indications that Israel may continue its military activities in Lebanon until spring 2025, with some reports suggesting that the IDF could intensify operations in the coming months.
However, there is also a clear desire to achieve a broader regional agreement, with Israel keen to bring Syria into the fold.
These efforts could help to stabilize the region and bring about a lasting peace, but it remains uncertain whether Hezbollah, with its strong ties to Iran, will agree to the terms.
The situation is fluid, and the world is watching closely as Israel and Hezbollah prepare to enter a new phase of their decades-long conflict.
As both sides inch closer to a ceasefire, the international community remains hopeful that this agreement will pave the way for lasting peace and security in the region.