The United States submitted a written proposal to Lebanon as part of ongoing efforts to mediate a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah, two senior Lebanese political sources told Reuters.
According to the above mentionend media, US Ambassador to Lebanon Lisa Johnson met with Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri on Thursday to deliver the draft, aimed at gathering feedback from Lebanese officials. The contents of the proposal have not yet been disclosed.
According to Israeli media, President-elect Donald Trump met with Israeli envoy Dermer and emphasized that he does not oppose the settlement agreement with Lebanon.
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar expressed optimism about “progress” toward a ceasefire during a discussion with his French counterpart, Jean-Noel Barrot.
Sa’ar emphasized the importance of ensuring any agreement includes measures to prevent Hezbollah from rearming and operating near the Israeli-Lebanese border.
Energy Minister Eli Cohen noted that Israel was closer to a ceasefire agreement than at any point since the conflict began.
However, Cohen stressed the need for Israel to retain the ability to act inside Lebanon if the terms of a deal are violated.
Lebanese officials have reportedly rejected the notion of direct enforcement by Israel, with one source describing such a scenario as “unthinkable.”
At the United Nations, peacekeeping chief Jean-Pierre Lacroix highlighted the importance of redeploying the Lebanese armed forces in southern Lebanon as part of a sustainable resolution.
Lacroix, who oversees the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), reiterated, “Implementing Resolution 1701 is the parties’ responsibility,” says Lacroix. “UNIFIL has a supportive role, and there is a lot of substance in that supporting role.”
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