Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu convened a meeting on Sunday evening to discuss reaching a ceasefire with Lebanon, Israeli media reported. The meeting concluded late at night, with Israeli political sources signaling optimism with the developments.
“We are on the path to an agreement. It may not be signed tomorrow, but all parties are willing, and the dynamics so far have been positive,” a source told Maariv.
Overnight, reports from international media suggested significant American guarantees were on the table. Other sources pointed to Israel’s motivation to finalize the ceasefire at this specific time.
Israeli state broadcaster KAN cited Israeli sources saying that an agreement with Lebanon may already be reached this week.
According to political sources, Netanyahu’s discussion resulted in a preliminary approval to move forward with the agreement with Lebanon. This message was reportedly delivered to Lebanese officials via US envoy Amos Hochstein, though gaps in the agreement remain.
According to a report by Axios, the draft agreement includes provisions for a US-led oversight committee to monitor implementation and address any violations. The US is said to have offered Israel written guarantees explicitly backing military action against imminent threats originating from Lebanese territory.
Additionally, the US has pledged support for measures aimed at countering breaches by Hezbollah, including reinstating military presence near the border or halting the smuggling of heavy weaponry.
Both Israeli and American officials stressed that any Israeli action would be undertaken in consultation with the US and only if the Lebanese Armed Forces failed to mitigate the threat.
The draft also proposes a 60-day transition period, during which the IDF would withdraw from southern Lebanon. The Lebanese army would deploy along the border, and Hezbollah would relocate its heavy weapons beyond the Litani River.
An American official stated on Sunday night that while progress is being made toward a ceasefire agreement, several unresolved issues remain. Israeli sources have expressed a willingness to advance the agreement despite these gaps. Meanwhile, Lebanese reports suggest that Israel’s urgency stems from concerns that US mediation might cease if an agreement is not finalized in the coming days.
Hezbollah intensifies barrages to Israel to leave lasting impression
On Sunday, Hezbollah fired some 250 rockets at Israel in multiple barrages, wounding several people. Hits were detected in Haifa and Petah Tikva, and damage was caused to property.
Further, on Sunday, the IDF carried out two waves of attacks on Hezbollah infrastructure in Beirut’s southern suburbs.
According to Northern Command officers, Hezbollah’s effort to intensify its rocket, drone, and missile attacks aimed at “leaving a lasting impression on Israeli consciousness with a final chord, to secure gains for itself. Everyone understands that within days, an agreement is coming.”
Sources in Israel’s defense establishment disclosed that the US administration is applying pressure for an agreement, a stance expected to continue with the next administration. Coupled with the Lebanese side’s willingness, one source told Walla, “There is no other option but to sign the agreement.”
Another security official noted, “If the agreement is not signed now, it won’t happen for a very long time.”
Amid the increased attacks from Lebanon, Defense Minister Israel Katz has ordered an escalation in Israeli strikes within Lebanon, targeting pre-identified sites, particularly in Beirut’s Dahiyeh district.
Defense sources emphasized that the political echelon aims to avoid hitting Lebanese state infrastructure, focusing instead on distinguishing between state assets and Hezbollah targets.
Yonah Jeremy Bob, Keshet Neev, and Reuters contributed to this report.
