Hebrew media raises ceasefire prospects as US officials said expecting truce in ‘coming hours’

Headlines in various Hebrew media are promising an imminent ceasefire based on a single report by Britain’s Sky News, which quotes unnamed US administration officials saying they “expect” a three-week pause to be implemented “in the coming hours.”

Citing a late-night briefing by the senior American officials, the Sky News report appears similar to an earlier AFP report — citing similar sources — that quoted them as merely saying the sides are expected to decide “within hours” whether to accept an international initiative for a ceasefire.

Sky News cites the officials as saying that intensive diplomatic efforts have resulted in “near-agreement” for a halt in Lebanon that doesn’t include Gaza.

One administration official is quoted as saying: “The ceasefire will be for 21 days along the Blue Line. During those 21 days, the parties will negotiate towards a potential resolution of the conflict that has been ongoing since Hezbollah launched the attack on October 8, and to reach a comprehensive agreement along the Blue Line that allows for residents to return to their home in both Lebanon and Israel.

“It buys some time and space to try to pursue an arrangement in Gaza along the lines of the hostage deal we’ve been discussing,” the source adds. “We believe, regardless of what has happened on the battlefield over the last several days, the moment we feel is now to achieve that diplomatic resolution; to get there.”