Netanyahu prepares security cabinet vote on cease-fire deal with Hezbollah
- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is convening his security cabinet to vote on a cease-fire deal amidst ongoing conflict.
- The proposed cease-fire involves a U.S.-brokered agreement that includes troop withdrawals from Lebanon and monitoring by international forces.
- If approved, the deal would mark a significant diplomatic achievement after over a year of hostilities and high casualties.
On November 26, 2024, an Israeli official confirmed that Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is set to meet his security cabinet to discuss and potentially vote on a cease-fire deal. This agreement is expected to address ongoing hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah, which have significantly escalated along the Israeli-Lebanese border during the past year of conflict. The planned cease-fire follows a series of airstrikes conducted by the Israel Defense Forces on Hezbollah positions in southern Beirut, and a high number of rocket attacks into Israeli territory, as tensions continue to spiral. Reports indicate that at least 250 projectiles were launched into Israel on the previous day, highlighting the urgency of the situation. The proposed cease-fire is reportedly brokered by the United States and could lead to a phased withdrawal of Israeli forces from Lebanon, as well as a retreat by Hezbollah to a specified geographical boundary. This agreement also involves the deployment of Lebanese Armed Forces, supported by the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon, to prevent Hezbollah from re-entering the contested regions. Oversight of the cease-fire implementation will be conducted by the U.S. alongside French and Arab partners. While the deal is anticipated to gain substantial support within the cabinet, some opposition is expected from far-right members. As negotiations progress, officials express cautious optimism about achieving a comprehensive agreement that could mitigate further violence and lay the groundwork for stability in the region, following nearly 14 months of intense conflict that has resulted in a staggering death toll, mainly among Lebanese civilians. The potential approval of this cease-fire represents a significant diplomatic milestone in the ongoing strife, suggesting that various actors involved recognize the necessity for a resolution amidst an ongoing humanitarian crisis in the area. However, parallel discussions suggest that the agreement may not ensure the end of all hostilities between both factions, underscoring the complex dynamics at play and the hurdles that still await.