Peace Talks Heat Up: Hezbollah Weighs US-Israeli Ceasefire Plan

Israel and the militant group Hezbollah are in the midst of intense peace negotiations. The US has presented a new ceasefire proposal, which Hezbollah is considering. The proposed deal includes a 60-day pause in fighting and has terms that align with a 2006 UN resolution. The Lebanese army might play a bigger role in keeping the peace. Despite these talks, Israel has ramped up its attacks, causing significant damage and casualties. Some people worry about the timing of the deal and who will enforce it. The conflict began in mid-September when Israel launched a major offensive in Lebanon. This was in response to months of back-and-forth attacks along the border. The offensive dealt a heavy blow to Hezbollah's leadership and weapons. It also had a devastating impact on civilians, with hundreds reported dead and over a million displaced. Recently, the violence has escalated again. Israeli strikes this week have claimed more lives, including several civil defense workers. An Israeli bombing even destroyed a civil defense headquarters, killing workers inside. This all happened as the peace talks were ongoing.

The US ambassador to Lebanon, Lisa Johnson, shared the new proposal with Lebanon's Speaker of Parliament, Nabih Berri, who is close to Hezbollah. The deal aims to bring a lasting ceasefire. It suggests that Israel's ground forces withdraw to the border recognized internationally. However, there are still questions about when the deal will be finalized and who will make sure Hezbollah retreats from southern Lebanon. Some Israeli officials want the incoming US president's team to handle the ceasefire, while others want it done sooner. Two big issues in the talks are how to enforce a Hezbollah retreat and if the Lebanese army is ready to handle a more active role. The US-Israeli proposal is based on a UN resolution that only allows the Lebanese army and UN peacekeepers to have armed groups south of the Litani River. Hezbollah might agree to the deal by next Monday.

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