US says Lebanon truce close, ‘but nothing is negotiated until everything is negotiated’

Jacob Magid is The Times of Israel's US bureau chief

White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby speaks at the daily briefing at the White House in Washington, October 23, 2024. (AP/ Ben Curtis)
White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby speaks at the daily briefing at the White House in Washington, October 23, 2024. (AP/ Ben Curtis)

White House National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby says the Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire has not been finalized, despite mounting press reports that the deal is done.

“We’re close… The discussions… were constructive, and the trajectory of this is going in a very positive direction, but nothing is negotiated until everything is negotiated, and… conversations are ongoing,” says Kirby during a press briefing.

The issue is a top priority for US President Joe Biden, who has been in direct contact with his special envoy for Lebanon, Amos Hochstein, Kirby says.

US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller later adds, “We have made significant progress in getting toward a resolution, including in the past week.”

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