As US special envoy Amos Hochstein arrives in Beirut to discuss a ceasefire, Israeli expectations are low, with officials saying that no official response has yet been received to the agreement presented to Lebanon. This comes after signals from the Lebanese government and Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, indicating demands for changes to the agreement.
A senior official told Israel Hayom that "reaching an agreement may be delayed due to Lebanon's ambivalence." While Israel is preparing for the implementation of the agreement and the withdrawal of forces, officials added: "We will escalate the intensity of our attacks as long as the agreement has not been officially signed."
Video: US envoy Amos Hochstein enters government offices in Lebanon.
Israeli officials claim that the critical issue in reaching an elusive settlement with Lebanon is maintaining the IDF's operational freedom throughout Lebanon, in case Hezbollah rearms or prepares to harm Israeli civilians. If and when Lebanon approves the agreement, which includes arming the Lebanese military and deploying it along the border, while pushing Hezbollah north of the Litani River, Netanyahu is expected to secure the necessary majority to pass it in the cabinet. Even senior government officials not affiliated with Likud are expected to support closing the northern front, provided that fighting in Gaza continues until Israel's war objectives are achieved.
A senior Lebanese official told Al-Joumhouria on Tuesday morning that "the balance of positive points is increasing, and the general atmosphere suggests that reaching a political settlement is just around the corner." According to reports, Hochstein already landed in Lebanon earlier this morning.
The official added: "Hochstein's visit will be decisive this time in paving the way for a resolution." Sources informed Al-Joumhouria that Lebanon's response to the settlement proposal was finalized in its wording and received positively. According to these sources, Hezbollah's position was "very accommodating," with its remarks intended to "accelerate the settlement" and not to delay it with conditions.
The Saudi newspaper Asharq Al-Awsat reported that Iranian advisor Ali Larijani, during his recent visit to Beirut, advised Hezbollah to give the negotiations on a ceasefire a chance. Lebanese political sources added that the American envoy Hochstein is set to meet with Lebanon's Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, Prime Minister Najib Mikati, and Army Commander Joseph Aoun.
A senior Lebanese official summarized Lebanon's response to the American proposal as follows: immediate ceasefire; full implementation of UN Resolution 1701 as it was in 2006; withdrawal of IDF forces from all points in Lebanon beyond the international border; the return of displaced persons to their homes; deployment of the Lebanese Army, supported by UNIFIL, south of the Litani River; removal of restrictions on the Lebanese Army to allow it to fulfill its missions; and the activation of the tripartite committee (Israel, Lebanon, and UNIFIL) without opposition to including the US and France. According to the Lebanese official, the American proposal does not include any clause, explicit or implicit, regarding Israel's military freedom of action.
Meanwhile, the pro-Hezbollah newspaper Al-Akhbar reported that Lebanon is awaiting Hochstein's arrival in the coming hours. Sources noted that contacts between Lebanese officials and Hochstein's team have continued, accompanied by discussions between Prime Minister Najib Mikati and senior members of US President-elect Trump's team.
According to the report, Lebanon believes that "the right to self-defense" is already enshrined in international law and cannot be part of a ceasefire agreement. From Lebanon's perspective, Israel's insistence on this clause reflects its desire to secure "legitimacy for any future actions under the guise of self-defense," a demand Lebanon fully rejects. Additionally, the report noted that Lebanon opposes the inclusion of Britain and Germany in the oversight committee for Resolution 1701. However, sources emphasized that this issue is less complex.
The Saudi channel Al-Hadath reported that "the US believes Hezbollah is in a difficult military situation." Sources said that Nabih Berri, Lebanon's Parliament Speaker, is pushing the terrorist organization to accept the American proposals. They added that the success of the negotiations is not guaranteed "due to several Israeli-American conditions" and noted: "Successful negotiations would pave the way for demarcating the land border." The Saudi channel also reported that the US is interested in Lebanon agreeing to American oversight of Beirut's port and airport.
