US envoys urge ceasefire

Senior American officials have returned to the Middle East to try to reach a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon, as Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati expressed cautious optimism about a possible deal.

Brett McGurk, President Biden's Middle East coordinator, and Amos Hochstein, who led negotiations in the conflict with Hezbollah, are in Israel for talks with the country's authorities, although it was not clear whether progress could be made before the United States Presidential election, next week.

Since the conflict escalated five weeks ago, Israel has launched widespread airstrikes across Lebanon and a ground invasion in areas near the border.

According to Lebanon's Health Ministry, at least 2,200 people were killed and 1.2 million displaced in the country, mostly Shiite Muslims, exacerbating sectarian tensions and increasing pressure on public services already struggling after years of a severe economic crisis.

The Israeli government's aim is to change the security situation along the border and ensure the return of about 60,000 residents who were displaced due to Hezbollah's missile, rocket and drone attacks.

On Wednesday, the Israeli public broadcaster Kan published a draft agreement drawn up by Washington and dated Saturday for an initial 60-day ceasefire.

Israel would withdraw its forces from Lebanon within the first week of the deal and the Lebanese army would be deployed along the border. During the pause, Hezbollah would end its armed presence in the region.

The aim is to pave the way for the full implementation of UN Resolution 1701, which ended the 34-day war between Israel and Hezbollah in 2006.

The text called, among other things, 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 Unifll and the Lebanese army would have access there.

However, Israel is suspicious that the Lebanese army and UN peacekeepers can keep Hezbollah away from the border and reportedly wants to retain the right to attack the group if necessary after the war ends. That demand is likely to be rejected by the Lebanese authorities, who say there should be no changes to Resolution 1701.

Asked about the document reported by Kan, White House national security spokesman Sean Savett said there were “many reports and drafts circulating” that “do not reflect the current status of negotiations.” However, he did not answer the question whether this text would be the basis for further discussions.

Hezbollah, a powerful militia and political party armed and financially backed by Iran, is under pressure domestically to reach a deal, particularly from critics who say the group has dragged Lebanon into a conflict that is not in the the country's interest.

The Israeli bombings have killed most of Hezbollah's leadership. including long-time boss Hassan Nasrallahand caused extensive destruction in 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 attacks on Israel on October 7 last year and has long said its attacks will continue unless there is a ceasefire in Gaza. It is not clear whether it would be willing to change its position.

On Wednesday, Naim Qassem gave his first speech as Hezbollah's new secretary general, saying the group would continue its war plan under his leadership but could reach an agreement within certain conditions. So far, he said, Israel has not put forward a proposal that can be discussed.

While he spoke, Israel launched heavy air strikes on the historic city of Baalbekin the Bekaa Valley, which could indicate an expansion of its military campaign against the group in a strategically important area near the border with Syria.

Hours later, in an interview with Lebanese television channel Al Jazeed, Mr. Mikati said he had become “cautiously optimistic” after a phone call with Mr. Hochstein, who visited Lebanon last week, and said a ceasefire could happen in the “coming hours or days.” “be possible. .

But it remained unclear whether a deal could be reached before Tuesday's U.S. presidential election. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reportedly waited for the outcome of the vote before making a decision.

Violence continued on Thursday. Hezbollah rocket attacks killed seven people in Israel – the deadliest day in the country since the conflict escalated – and Israeli strikes killed six health workers in southern Lebanon.

U.S. officials are also trying to reach a ceasefire and an agreement to release hostages between Israel and Hamas in Gaza. The White House said CIA Director William Burns would travel to Cairo for talks on Thursday.