Israel is moving closer to a ceasefire with Hezbollah. The government confirmed this on Monday. Israeli Ambassador to the U.S., Michael Herzog, said a deal could be finalized in days. Final adjustments are still pending.
U.S. mediator Amos Hochstein reported significant progress last week. He held talks in Beirut and Israel, sparking optimism for a truce. Despite this, violence has escalated. Israeli airstrikes killed at least 29 people in Beirut over the weekend. Hezbollah responded by firing 250 missiles, one of its largest attacks.
“We are moving toward a deal, but there are still issues to resolve,” said government spokesperson David Mencer. Herzog agreed, saying only minor details remain.
Not everyone supports the ceasefire. Far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir opposes it. He urged Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to continue the military campaign. “It is not too late to stop this agreement!” he posted online.
The conflict escalated into full-scale war in September. Israeli strikes have inflicted heavy losses on Hezbollah. They killed top leaders, including Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, and destroyed large areas in Lebanon. Over one million people in Lebanon have fled their homes.
Diplomatic efforts continue, but the violence persists. The fragile state of talks highlights the difficulty of securing a lasting ceasefire. (Reuters)
