Israeli defense official says high likelihood for Lebanon ceasefire

There is a substantial chance of Israel reaching a ceasefire agreement in Lebanon, a senior Israeli defense official tells reporters.

The official says a United States-backed deal that would see Hezbollah gradually withdraw north of the Litani River and the Lebanese Army retake responsibility for south Lebanon is in reach.

US special envoy Amos Hochstein is in Israel today meeting separately with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz along with IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi, to discuss the ceasefire negotiations.

Hochstein held meetings with the Lebanese side in recent days and said that “additional progress” had been made.

Under the potential ceasefire, the Lebanese Army would be responsible for preventing Hezbollah from reestablishing itself in southern Lebanon

According to the defense official, if Israel sees Hezbollah attempting to rebuild infrastructure in southern Lebanon, it would notify the Lebanese Army via the US to act against the terror group. If no action is taken by the Lebanese Army, Israel reserves the right to act, according to the official.

The official says the IDF will also maintain the right to act to thwart any immediate threat, such as identifying Hezbollah operatives preparing to carry out an attack or a weapons shipment destined for the terror group.

Lebanese civilians will be able to return to their damaged villages in southern Lebanon under the potential agreement, and Israel does not plan to hold on to a security zone in southern Lebanon. Instead, Israel says it will act against any Hezbollah presence in southern Lebanon as necessary, either directly or by notifying the Lebanese Army via the US.

The UN peacekeeping force, UNIFIL, will likely still have a presence in southern Lebanon after a potential ceasefire is signed, though Israel does not see it as an important player in enforcing the removal of Hezbollah.