Mon Nov 25 19:55:18 UTC 2024: ## Ceasefire Looms in Israel-Hezbollah War as US Expresses Optimism
**Jerusalem, November 26, 2024** – A potential ceasefire in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hezbollah is on the horizon, with the United States expressing cautious optimism. Israel’s security cabinet is slated to decide on a proposed truce on Tuesday evening, following intense diplomatic efforts by the US, EU, and UN.
The conflict, which escalated in late September, has resulted in at least 3,768 deaths in Lebanon, according to Lebanese officials, and at least 129 Israeli casualties (82 soldiers and 47 civilians). The proposed agreement, reportedly involving a 60-day transition period, would see an Israeli military withdrawal, Lebanese army redeployment, and Hezbollah’s heavy weapons withdrawn north of the Litani River. A US-led committee would oversee implementation.
Despite the optimism, Israel’s military launched a fresh wave of strikes on Monday targeting Hezbollah strongholds in Beirut’s southern suburbs. Hezbollah also claimed responsibility for 50 attacks against Israel on Sunday.
While US National Security Council spokesman John Kirby stated that a deal is “close,” he emphasized that negotiations are ongoing. This announcement follows similar expressions of optimism earlier this year regarding a Gaza truce, which has yet to materialize. The Israeli government remains divided, with National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir strongly opposing any ceasefire he considers insufficiently punitive towards Hezbollah. Some Israeli civilians displaced from northern regions have also expressed apprehension about a ceasefire without guarantees of lasting peace.
The ongoing war in Gaza continues unabated, with residents facing dire conditions, including scavenging for food amidst unexploded ordnance. The situation highlights the complexity of the regional conflict and the challenges in achieving a lasting peace.
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