‘Interest on all sides’ for Lebanon ceasefire, foreign diplomat says, hailing significant progress

Attempts to reach a ceasefire in Lebanon have made significant progress of late, a foreign diplomat with knowledge of the talks tells The Times of Israel, and what remains is for Israel and Lebanon to agree to the proposal.

“A lot of ground has been covered over the last week and days,” says the diplomat. “There is interest on all sides for this ceasefire.”

“There is pretty much an agreement on the table,” the official continues. “It’s up to all parties to commit. We have to see if all parties actually want that agreement.”

“Now is the window of opportunity. [US special envoy Amos] Hochstein has been doing an incredible job.”

The diplomat says that a core Israeli demand, the freedom to operate against Hezbollah if it violates the terms of a ceasefire, “will be reflected in bilateral understandings with the US.”

At the same time, “there is a general understanding that Israel can resume military operations if there is a violation.”

A new body to oversee the ceasefire moving forward will be created, says the diplomat, and will include France and the US. “There will have to be additional and more robust mechanisms to ensure the terms of the agreement are kept. It can’t only be UNIFIL which has not been fully efficient.”