White House national security spokesperson John Kirby did not release any details of the ceasefire deal and explained a deal was not sealed yet.
But Kirby told reporters that negotiators have “reached this point where we’re close” to bringing an agreement over the finish line.
“We believe that the trajectory of this is going in a very positive direction,” Kirby said.
Reportedly, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has approved a ceasefire deal in principle, and his Cabinet is set to vote on it Tuesday, though key details have yet to be worked out.
The negotiations have also reportedly included discussion about a five-nation coalition overseeing the implementation of the ceasefire deal, led by the U.S. and France.
Israel also wants to ensure that it can move into Lebanon again should Hezbollah violate the agreements of the deal, which would likely include the requirement that the militant group move its fighters and assets north of the Litani River.
At the Pentagon, deputy press secretary Sabrina Singh told reporters that Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has also been involved in the discussions around the emerging ceasefire deal.
“It’s come up in calls that the secretary has done with Minister Katz and then previously with Minister Gallant,” she said, referring to Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant.
The reported deal comes after U.S. envoy Amos Hochstein has led negotiations since conflict broke out between Israeli forces and Hezbollah on Oct. 8, 2023, a day after a war began between Israel and Hamas after deadly attacks from the Palestinian militant group.
More than 3,000 have died in Lebanon since October 2023, while dozens have been killed in Israel due to near-daily rocket fire over the border from Hezbollah.
Israel began a ground operation in Lebanon in September after decimating much of the command structure of Hezbollah, but the militant group continues ambushing and firing on Israeli forces and launching rockets.
United Nations senior envoy Muhannad Hadi told the Security Council that a ceasefire must be reached in Lebanon.
“Regrettably, the situation remains grave across the region. Israeli military operations continued across the Blue Line with Lebanon, as did the firing of rockets by Hezbullah toward Israel, including a barrage this weekend,” he said.
Read the full report at TheHill.com.
