Israel edging closer to ceasefire deal with Hezbollah in Lebanon - reports

Israel is said to be edging closer to a ceasefire agreement with Hezbollah in Lebanon, according to reports.

Israeli media outlets Haaretz, Walla, Ynet, Kan and American news website Axios reported both parties are getting closer to reaching a deal amid signs of progress in the US-led ceasefire talks.

It is suggested Israel has agreed to large parts of a ceasefire deal - but not all of it, yet.

An agreement could see an end to fighting that has seen more than 3,500 Lebanese killed and more than 15,000 injured in over a year.

Any potential agreement would also reportedly allow hundreds of thousands of people on both sides of the border to gradually return home, Axios reported.

It follows more airstrikes over the weekend which saw Hezbollah fire heavy rocket barrages at Israel on Sunday.

Israel's military said houses had been destroyed or set alight near Tel Aviv, after an Israeli airstrike killed at least 29 people in Beirut the day before.

Israel also struck Beirut's Hezbollah-controlled southern suburbs.

Hezbollah's new leader Naim Kassem appeared to be open to a ceasefire with Israel during a speech last week.

He hinted at progress in the negotiations - and struck a positive tone looking ahead, saying: "We are thinking about the future of our country."

Fighting began between Hezbollah in Lebanon and Israel the day after the 7 October Hamas attacks last year, and Israel launched a ground invasion earlier this year.

Reports claimed that the draft agreement included a 60-day transition period that would see the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) withdraw from southern Lebanon - where troops have been fighting the Iran-backed militant group.

It would also reportedly see Hezbollah move its heavy weapons north of the Litani River as the Lebanese army would deploy in areas close to the border - all in an effort to maintain peace.

Quoting a senior Israeli source, one news site said "the direction was positive" but that an agreement hadn't been finalised.

Other reports added that an announcement was possible this week if things went to plan.

According to Axios, the draft agreement includes a US-led oversight committee to monitor implementation and address any potential violations.

It added the deal was nearing completion when the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former defence minister Yoav Gallant last Thursday.

Ynet reported US envoy Amos Hochstein had informed Lebanon of Israel's move towards agreeing to the settlement.

It added Mr Hochstein had previously made it clear to Israel that Lebanon had already agreed to the ceasefire before it did, and if this failed, no further efforts would be made before Donald Trump enters the White House in January.

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Israel reportedly moved towards a potential deal after Mr Netanyahu held a meeting with his most senior ministers and intelligence chiefs.

While this would not mark the first time reports have emerged claiming a ceasefire deal is close in the region, any such step would be an important one.

Reports added among the negotiations, Israel sought assurances from the US that it could react with force if Hezbollah broke the terms of the ceasefire.

(c) Sky News 2024: Israel edging closer to ceasefire deal with Hezbollah in Lebanon - reports