Israel and Lebanon have agreed to the terms of a deal to end the Israel-Hezbollah conflict, Axios reported on Monday citing an unnamed senior US official.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reportedly approved a ceasefire with Lebanon “in principle” while meeting with Israeli officials on Sunday evening, citing outstanding issues before approval.
Foreign Minister Gideon Saar said that a ceasefire agreement with Lebanon would hinge on enforcement that would keep Hezbollah disarmed and away from the border.
“The test for any agreement will be one, not in words or phrasing, but in enforcement only of the two main points. The first is preventing Hezbollah from moving southward beyond the Litani (River), and the second, preventing Hezbollah from rebuilding its force and rearming in all of Lebanon,” Saar said in Knesset, in broadcast remarks.
The source said that Israel still has reservations about certain details, which will reportedly be transferred to the Lebanese government on Monday.
CNN reported that several details are still being negotiated, and the agreement will not be solidified until every issue is resolved.
On both sides of the Israel-Lebanon border, thousands of people have been displaced from their communities, leading to copious fatality counts of both Israeli and Lebanese civilians.
Israel’s motivation to finalize ceasefire
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.
This is a developing story.
Reuters contributed to this report.
