Various reports have highlighted that significant groundwork has been laid with US presidential envoy Amos Hochstein, who is set to visit Beirut “imminently” to advance negotiations, according to Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati’s remarks on Monday.
Al Akhbar, a prominent Lebanese newspaper, detailed that Lebanon's response to Washington's proposal is in its "final drafting stage" and is expected to be sent to Hochstein via the US Embassy in Beirut.
The report underscored the gravity of the situation, noting that Israel has ramped up its military campaign with aggressive strikes across southern Lebanon, the Bekaa region, and, notably, central Beirut.
Among the casualties of these recent attacks were Mohammad Afif, Hezbollah's media relations head, and several of his aides in Ras Al-Nabaa. In another strike, Israel targeted a building on Mar Elias Street.
Negotiating under fire
According to Al Akhbar, the Israeli escalation, seen as part of "negotiating under fire," has raised concerns in Beirut about potential targeted assassinations extending to Hezbollah's political and civil infrastructure.
The Lebanese news outlet suggested this could be aimed at creating public pressure against the group.
Reuters noted that Hochstein's anticipated visit is expected to build on a US ceasefire proposal submitted to Lebanon last week.
The Associated Press (AP) reported that Labor Minister Mustafa Bayram, a Hezbollah affiliate, stated Lebanon will present its "positive position" on the US proposal, emphasizing that Hezbollah works “to make sure the (Israeli) aggression fails to achieve its goals, while negotiation is for the state and the government."
AP cited a Western diplomat who expressed "cautious optimism," noting that while diplomatic efforts are converging, the ultimate decision lies with "key players" to determine whether the time is right to halt hostilities.
Re-establishing UN Security Council Resolution 1701
Despite these challenges, Al Akhbar’s report indicated that Speaker of Parliament Nabih Berri, aligned with Hezbollah, had received the group's response, which aligns with UN Security Council Resolution 1701.
The proposal is said to aim for the re-establishment of a UN-mandated buffer zone in southern Lebanon, first established after the 2006 war.
While Lebanon is generally receptive, it seeks adjustments to specific aspects of monitoring the truce.
The Lebanese side opposed expanding the ceasefire monitoring committee to include Germany or Britain, preferring the current UN peacekeeping framework established in 2006.
Despite Israel's insistence that Resolution 1701 has not been adequately enforced, citing Hezbollah’s ongoing military presence near the border, Lebanese officials argue that Israel itself has violated the resolution with frequent incursions into Lebanese airspace.
Amid these developments, Al Jazeera reported that a Lebanese government source raised concerns about the ambiguity of the proposal’s "right to self-defence" clause for Israel, suggesting it requires "rephrasing and linkage" to Resolution 1701.
The source also opposed the creation of a new international monitoring committee, favouring the existing tripartite mechanism established in 2006.
However, peacekeeping troops known as UNIFIL on the border between Israel and Lebanon have increasingly been in the crosshairs of Israeli forces.

A UNIFIL armoured vehicle drives through Beirut as part of a UN peacekeeping convoy heading towards south Lebanon.AFP
Sticking points
A second Lebanese source told Reuters that while the proposal included some agreed-upon points, others still required further discussion with Hochstein.
Lebanese Labour Minister Bayram, after meeting Berri, confirmed that while the atmosphere was "positive," a final deal was still pending. “Then attention will turn to the Israeli position: does it want a ceasefire ... or to continue in its crimes,” he said, according to Berri’s statement.
CNN echoed the tentative progress, quoting Prime Minister Najib Mikati, who confirmed Lebanon's "positive" response but noted the need for face-to-face discussions on "unclear points."
Israeli operational freedom!!
CNN reported scepticism from Israeli sources on the progression of negotiations. One source indicated that progress hinges on Hezbollah's acceptance of Israel’s right to respond militarily if the truce is violated — a point of contention that could impede an agreement.
Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich underscored this stance, stating that "full operational freedom for the Israeli military in southern Lebanon is a non-negotiable condition."
He added that Israel's new security paradigm would reject any agreement without provisions for military action, citing that Israel aims to maintain operational freedom in Gaza after the war, and the same should be applied to southern Lebanon.
Haaretz confirmed that Israeli and US officials recognize significant progress in talks but cited Israel’s demand for the right to act militarily as a key unresolved issue.
The Israeli publication emphasized that this demand remains a central sticking point, with Tel Aviv expecting substantial headway in the negotiations during Hochstein's visit.
Mikati dismissed speculation about Israeli operational freedom as "unfounded," emphasizing that such clauses were not part of the proposal.
However, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated on Monday that Israel will continue to attack Lebanon even after a truce deal is inked.
"The most important thing is not (the deal that) will be laid on paper," he said.
"We will be forced to ensure our security in the north (of Israel) and to systematically carry out operations against Hezbollah's attacks... even after a ceasefire," he continued.
Israeli strikes have time and again struck civilian targets while nominally claiming to be taking out Hezbollah operatives.
More details on the proposal
According to a Lebanese official cited by CNN, the proposal calls for a 60-day cessation of hostilities and falls under the UN Resolution 1701 framework.
The plan demands the withdrawal of Israeli ground forces currently stationed in southern Lebanon. It stipulates stricter adherence to the resolution, which mandates that only the Lebanese army and UN peacekeepers remain armed south of the Litani River.
Israeli broadcaster KAN revealed more details of the US draft, which proposes positioning 5,000 Lebanese troops in southern Lebanon and an Israeli commitment not to conduct further attacks.
The plan may also suggest redrawing the border between the two nations and aims to dismantle weapon-producing infrastructure that violates the agreement.
The current border between Israel and Lebanon is known as the Blue Line, a boundary that was established by the United Nations (UN) after Israel's withdrawal from southern Lebanon in 2000.
Support and anticipation
President-elect Donald Trump's support for Hochstein’s efforts was delivered by multiple Lebanese sources to CNN, potentially boosting the initiative's chances.
Mikati stated that his government had already engaged with Trump's team, reflecting anticipation for continuity in US diplomatic pressure post-transition.
As diplomatic channels work to narrow differences, Arab and European officials quoted by Al Akhbar suggested that Lebanon’s cooperative approach could pressure Israel into accepting a ceasefire. Yet, as Bayram warned, much depends on whether Israel seeks peace or opts to continue military operations.
The coming days are deemed critical, as Hochstein’s anticipated arrival in the regional and ensuing talks could chart the future course for both nations. Observers await whether these efforts will lead to de-escalation or if contentious terms, like military rights and monitoring mechanisms, will derail the initiative.
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