It was reported that US President Joe Biden’s Senior Advisor Amos Hochstein is expected to visit Lebanon and Israel to discuss a ceasefire between Tel Aviv and Hezbollah. According to the Israeli press, the draft agreement includes Israel withdrawing its forces from southern Lebanon within seven days and replacing them with the Lebanese army.
A report in the Lebanese press stated that US President Joe Biden’s Senior Advisor Amos Hochstein will hold contacts in Beirut tomorrow within the scope of ceasefire efforts. Israeli state television, KAN, reported that Hochstein is expected to travel to Tel Aviv after the talks in Lebanon.
PROGRESS EXPECTED THIS TIME The news, citing unnamed officials, stated that “significant progress” is expected in indirect negotiations between Israel and Hezbollah for a ceasefire. It had been reported that the Biden administration had prepared a draft for a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah. Lebanese media wrote that US Ambassador to Beirut Lisa Johnson delivered a draft agreement to Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri last week for a ceasefire between the Israeli army and Hezbollah.
THE DRAFT AGREEMENT PROPOSED BY THE US According to a report by Israeli state television, KAN, the draft agreement includes Israel withdrawing its forces from southern Lebanon within 7 days and being replaced by the Lebanese army. According to the draft, the withdrawal of the Israeli army from the south will be supervised by the United States and another country. Within 60 days of signing the ceasefire agreement, Lebanon will disarm the groups in the south of the country. In order to prevent the rearmament of these groups in Lebanon in accordance with UN Security Council (UNSC) resolution 1701, any arms sales to Lebanon or the production of weapons within Lebanon will be supervised by the Lebanese government. Israel and Lebanon will recognize the importance of UNSC resolution 1701, but these commitments will not impede the right of either country to defend itself if necessary. In addition, the Lebanese army will be the only armed element along the Blue Line on the border between Lebanon and Israel, with the exception of the United Nations Interim Peace Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL).
