On Wednesday, Israel’s public broadcaster Kan released what it called a draft agreement written by Washington and dated Saturday for an initial 60-day ceasefire.
Israel will withdraw its troops from Lebanon within the first week of the deal, and the Lebanese army will be deployed along the border. During the pause, Hezbollah ceased its armed presence in the area.
The aim is to pave the way for the full implementation of United Nations Resolution 1701, which ended the 34-day war between Israel and Hezbollah in 2006.
The text, among other things, calls for the removal of all armed groups, including Hezbollah, from the area south of the Litani River, 30 km (20 miles) north of the border. Only the UN peacekeeping force, known as Unifll, and the Lebanese army will be allowed there.
Israel, however, distrustful of the Lebanese army and UN peacekeepers being able to keep Hezbollah away from the border, reportedly wants the right to strike the group if necessary after the war ends. This demand is likely to be rejected by the Lebanese authorities, who say that there should be no changes to resolution 1701.
When asked about the document Kahn reported, White House national security spokesman Sean Savetz said there were “a lot of reports and drafts circulating” that “do not reflect the current state of the negotiations.” However, he did not answer the question whether this text is the basis for further negotiations.
Hezbollah, a powerful militia and political party armed and financed by Iran, faces domestic pressure to make the deal, especially from critics who say the group has drawn Lebanon into a conflict that is not in the country’s interests.
Israeli bombings killed most of Hezbollah’s leadership, including longtime ruler Hassan Nasrallahand brought widespread destruction to areas of southern Lebanon, the eastern Bekaa Valley and the southern suburbs of Beirut, where the group holds power.
The group launched its campaign the day after Hamas attacked Israel on October 7 last year and has long said attacks will continue unless there is a ceasefire in Gaza. It is not clear whether she will want to change her position.
