Israeli officials: Ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hezbollah, "within days"

2024-11-25 16:12:24, Kosova & Bota CNA

Israeli officials: Ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hezbollah,

The Israeli ambassador in Washington said today that a ceasefire agreement that would end the war between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon could be reached "within days". Ambassador Mike Herzog said that there are still "some points to finalize". His statement comes as Israel and Hezbollah have intensified attacks.

Israel and Hezbollah traded sharp attacks on each other over the weekend. Israel attacked the southern suburbs of Beirut after Hezbollah fired 250 rockets into northern and central Israel.

The heightened attacks are occurring at a time when international pressure has increased for a ceasefire agreement to end the war and drive Israel and Hezbollah out of southern Lebanon.

Israel's ambassador to Washington, Mike Herzog, told Army Radio on Monday that the parties are "close to an agreement" and that it could "be reached within days."

A similar statement was made by the Representative of the European Union for Foreign Policy and Security, Josep Borrell, during his visit to Beirut.

"We must put pressure on the Israeli government and Hezbollah to agree to the American ceasefire proposal. There is an agreement. This proposal is awaiting the final approval of the Israeli government", he declared.

Hopes for a deal came after last week's visit by US mediator Amos Hochstein. Under the proposal, the parties would initially commit to a two-month ceasefire, during which Israeli troops would withdraw from Lebanon, while Hezbollah would withdraw its armed forces along the southern border.

According to the proposal, the mutual withdrawal of armed troops will be followed by the deployment of thousands of Lebanese soldiers to monitor this border alongside the United Nations peacekeeping force operating there.

Among the issues still being negotiated are Israel's request to reserve the right to act if Hezbollah violates its obligations under the agreement.

Meanwhile, in an interview for American Fox television, Mike Waltz, appointed by President-elect Donald Trump as National Security Advisor in his next administration, indirectly criticizing the current administration, said that Mr. Trump will aim to reach "agreements peace" in the Middle East similar to the Abraham Accords, which were negotiated between Israel and the Arab states.

"Just four years ago we had peace agreements in the Middle East that were signed at the White House. Look where we are today. I am convinced that President Trump, his leadership skills and the team he is selecting, will get us back to that point very quickly," he declared.

The current ceasefire proposal also provides for the establishment of an international commission to monitor the implementation of the agreement and preliminary UN resolutions.

France is expected to be present in this commission, despite Israel's objections after the support that French officials gave to the decision of the International Criminal Court to issue the arrest warrant against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu./ VOA