Lebanon Reviews Ceasefire Proposal from Hochstein

U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon Lisa Johnson has delivered a ceasefire proposal from U.S. mediator Amos Hochstein to Speaker Nabih Berri, who has promised to provide a response within two to three days, according to Al-Jadeed TV. The report indicated that Berri is optimistic about the possibility of reaching a ceasefire agreement within a few days or a week, provided there are no unexpected developments.

Diplomatic sources told Al-Arabiya TV that Hochstein’s proposal includes both favorable points and aspects that Lebanon has rejected. These sources noted that Lebanon felt reassured after President-elect Donald Trump authorized Hochstein to continue his mediation efforts.

The Israeli newspaper Israel Hayom reported that under the terms of the proposed ceasefire agreement, Israel would allow third-party countries to supply weapons to the Lebanese army. A senior U.S. official informed the news portal Axios that Israeli Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer’s recent talks at the White House were productive, addressing most of the outstanding issues between the U.S. and Israel regarding the ceasefire text and a U.S.-provided letter of guarantees about Israel’s freedom of action in Lebanon. The official added that while the deal is not finalized, it is very close to completion.

An Israeli official confirmed that the U.S. and Israel are aligned on the terms of the ceasefire agreement but noted that the U.S. must still reach an understanding with Lebanon. The official pointed to the complexities on the Lebanese side, as Speaker Nabih Berri and Prime Minister Najib Mikati are negotiating both with Hezbollah and the U.S. in an effort to finalize the agreement.

Both sides reportedly want a ceasefire but must determine how far they are willing to compromise to achieve it, a senior U.S. official told Axios. Hochstein does not currently have a scheduled visit to Beirut, and senior U.S. and Israeli officials informed Axios that he would only travel once it is clear that an agreement has been reached.