Ceasefire on the Horizon: Israel to Discuss Lebanon Agreement

Israel Cabinet to Vote on Lebanon Ceasefire Deal

“Israel's war cabinet is set to convene today to discuss a proposed ceasefire deal with Lebanon's...”

Israel's cabinet is set to discuss a proposed ceasefire deal with Hezbollah in Lebanon, following a wave of Israeli airstrikes that killed at least 31 people.

Israel's war cabinet is set to convene to discuss a proposed cease-fire deal with Hezbollah in Lebanon. The deal, brokered by France and the US, aims to bring an end to the conflict in the region.

EU top diplomat Josep Borrell has weighed in on the matter, emphasizing that Israel has “no excuse” not to implement the proposal. Borrell noted that the agreement addresses all of Israel's security concerns, and that rejecting it could have severe consequences for Lebanon.

The proposed cease-fire deal comes after Hezbollah began attacking Israel in October 2023. The situation has been dire, with the international community calling for a peaceful resolution. The US and France have been instrumental in brokering the deal, which includes a 21-day cease-fire on the Israel-Lebanon border.

“There is not an excuse for not implementing a cease-fire No more excuses. No more additional requests. Stop this fighting. Stop killing people,” Borrell said.

EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell is urging Israel to approve a proposed Lebanon ceasefire deal, emphasizing that it “gives Israel all the security commitments they were asking for.”  This deal, backed by necessary security guarantees, aims to bring an end to the conflict in the region.

Borrell also revealed that Lebanon has requested France's inclusion in the deal's implementation committee. However, Israel has expressed reservations about this idea. 

In addition, Borrell addressed the International Criminal Court's (ICC) arrest warrants against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant. He called on European countries to fulfill their obligations under international law, highlighting the need for consistency in upholding legal principles.

“You cannot approve of the court when it goes against [Russian President Vladimir Putin] and oppose it when it goes against Netanyahu,” he said.

The International Criminal Court (ICC) has been quite active lately. Last week, the ICC issued warrants for several high-profile individuals, including Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, as well as Hamas leader Mohammed Deif. These warrants are related to alleged war crimes committed in Gaza.

But that's not all - in March 2023, the ICC also issued warrants against Russian President Vladimir Putin and Children's Rights Commissioner Maria Lvova-Belova. This was in connection with allegations of unlawful deportation of Ukrainian children.

It's worth noting that the Israeli cabinet is set to discuss a proposed ceasefire in Lebanon today, November 26, 2024. This development comes amidst ongoing tensions in the region.

Israel's war cabinet is set to convene today to discuss a proposed ceasefire deal with Lebanon's Hezbollah militant group. This comes after a wave of Israeli airstrikes on Monday killed at least 31 people, according to Lebanon's Health Ministry.

The proposed ceasefire deal has been in the works, with US National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby stating that talks are progressing. “We believe we've reached this point where we're close,” Kirby said, adding “we're not there yet.”

The ceasefire proposal aims to end the fighting between Israel and Hezbollah, which has been ongoing since October 2023. The deal is expected to include the withdrawal of Israeli forces from southern Lebanon and a pullback of Hezbollah forces from the Israeli border.

According to Lebanon's deputy parliament speaker, Elias Bou Saab, the Lebanese government has already approved the agreement, and there are “no serious obstacles” to its implementation. This is a significant development, given Hezbollah's political wing is part of Lebanon's governing coalition.

Hezbollah has also endorsed parliament speaker Nabih Berri to negotiate with Israel, indicating the group's willingness to engage in the peace process. This endorsement is crucial, as it suggests Hezbollah is on board with the proposed agreement.

A proposed ceasefire deal between Israel and Hezbollah includes a provision allowing Israel to take action if Hezbollah fails to meet its obligations. This development comes as EU top diplomat Josep Borrell urges an immediate end to the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah.

The Litani River, located approximately 30 kilometers north of the Israeli-Lebanese border, has been a focal point in the conflict. Israel has consistently demanded that Hezbollah withdraw from areas south of the river, citing the terms of a UN resolution that ended the 2006 war between the two sides.

News of the planned cabinet meeting came as Israel's military carried out a wave of airstrikes on Monday, resulting in the deaths of at least 31 people, according to Lebanon's Health Ministry.

Meanwhile, months of negotiations between Israel and Palestinian militant group Hamas, mediated by the US, Egypt, and Qatar, have failed to produce a deal for a cease-fire in the Gaza Strip. Earlier this month, Qatar announced that it had suspended its mediation efforts, stating that they would only resume once “the parties show their willingness and seriousness to end the brutal war.”