Israel and Hezbollah are nearing a ceasefire
The German Press Agency learned from government circles that the cabinet’s approval of the agreement negotiated under US mediation was “probable”. Although the right-wing extremist Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir called a ceasefire a “serious mistake,” he, unlike in the past, did not threaten to leave the government with his party.
Lebanese government sources in Beirut also expressed optimism. “Let’s hope there is a ceasefire this evening,” said Lebanon’s Foreign Minister Abdullah Bou Habib on Tuesday morning. They would then send 5,000 soldiers to the south of their country. The communications director of the US National Security Council, John Kirby, also expressed cautious optimism: an agreement on a ceasefire is close. He did not want to comment on details in order not to jeopardize the chance of an agreement.
According to the reports, the agreement could be aimed at more than just a temporary ceasefire. Instead, it could also be about a permanent end to the fighting through a formal ceasefire. The Wall Street Journal and the Times of Israel Citing insiders, report a 60-day implementation period that should allow Israel’s military to withdraw. The Lebanese army should also be stationed in the border area with Israel to prevent Hezbollah fighters from gaining a foothold there again.
However, it is unclear how likely a longer-term ceasefire is. The Times of Israel also quoted an Israeli government official who stressed that Israel accepted a cessation of hostilities, but not an end to the war against the Hezbollah militia. It is not known how long the ceasefire will last. “It could be a month, it could be a year,” the Israeli official told the newspaper.
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