BEIRUT: Lebanon’s prime minister announced that US envoy Amos Hochstein suggested a ceasefire in the Israel-Hezbollah conflict could happen soon. He mentioned this during a phone call on Wednesday. Hochstein indicated that an agreement might be reached before the US elections on November 5. The possibility of a Lebanon Israel ceasefire has gained traction, according to Lebanon’s prime minister. #LebanonIsraelCeasefire
“The call today with Hochstein suggested to me that perhaps we could reach a ceasefire in the coming days, before the fifth” of November, Najib Mikati said in a televised interview with Lebanese broadcaster Al-Jadeed.
Hochstein planned to travel to Israel on Wednesday to discuss potential ceasefire terms with Hezbollah. This was confirmed by State Department spokesman Matthew Miller.
Hezbollah’s new leader, Naim Qassem, stated on Wednesday that the group would accept a ceasefire with Israel if the terms are suitable. However, he noted that no viable agreement has emerged yet.
“We are doing our best… to have a ceasefire within the coming hours or days,” Mikati told Al-Jadeed, adding that he was “cautiously optimistic.”
Mikati noted that Hezbollah is no longer tying a ceasefire in Lebanon to a truce in Gaza, though he criticized the group for the “late” change.
Previously, Hezbollah had stated that it would halt its attacks on Israel only if a Gaza ceasefire was achieved.
However, on Wednesday, Qassem said Hezbollah would agree to a ceasefire under “appropriate and suitable” terms, with no reference to Gaza.
Mikati stated that any ceasefire would depend on implementing a United Nations resolution. This resolution ended the 2006 conflict between Israel and Hezbollah.
UN Security Council Resolution 1701 requires that only the Lebanese army and UN peacekeepers remain in southern Lebanon. Additionally, it mandates the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Lebanese territory. #LebanonIsraelCeasefire
“The Lebanese army is ready to strengthen its presence in southern Lebanon” and ensure that the only weapons and military infrastructure in the area are those controlled by the state, Mikati said.
Path to Peace: U.N. Resolution 1701’s Role in a Lebanon-Israel Ceasefire
Lastly, any Lebanon Israel ceasefire could depend on enforcing U.N. Resolution 1701. The resolution requires the Lebanese army and U.N. peacekeepers to manage security in southern Lebanon. It also mandates Israel’s withdrawal from Lebanese territory.
