Israel looks set to approve a U.S. plan for a ceasefire with Hezbollah on Tuesday, a senior Israeli official said, clearing the way for an end to the war which has killed thousands of people since it was ignited by the Gaza conflict 14 months ago, APA reports citing Reuters.
Israel's security cabinet is expected to convene later on Tuesday to discuss and likely approve the text at a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the official said.
This would pave the way for a ceasefire declaration by U.S. President Joe Biden and French President Emmanuel Macron, four senior Lebanese sources told Reuters on Monday.
In Washington, White House national security spokesperson John Kirby said on Monday, "We're close" but "nothing is done until everything is done". The French presidency said discussions on a ceasefire had made significant progress.
The agreement has already won approval in Beirut, where Lebanon's deputy parliament speaker official told Reuters on Monday there were no serious obstacles left to start implementing it - unless Netanyahu changed his mind.
Netanyahu's office declined on Monday to comment on reports that Israel and Lebanon had agreed to the text of a deal.
The plan requires Israeli troops to withdraw from south Lebanon and Lebanese army troops to deploy in the border region - a Hezbollah stronghold - within 60 days, Elias Bou Saab, Lebanon's deputy parliament speaker, and a second Israeli official told Reuters.
Follow us on Telegram
t.me/apanewsaz
Follow us on Instagram
Follow us on TikTok
Follow us on Facebook
Follow us on X
