U.S. Middle East mediator Amos Hochstein arrived in Beirut on Tuesday in an effort to finalise a ceasefire agreement that would end the ongoing war between Israel and Hezbollah.
A government source and state media reported that the U.S. envoy arrived at the residence of House Speaker Nabih Berri, who is representing Hezbollah in the negotiations.
For weeks, details of an alleged U.S. ceasefire proposal have been circulating in the media.
According to Lebanese security sources, Israel and Hezbollah are to initially suspend their hostilities for 60 days.
During this period, the Israeli military is to withdraw from Lebanon and Lebanese armed forces are to be deployed along the border.
After 60 days, Israel and Lebanon are expected to hold negotiations on the full implementation of UN Resolution 1701.
Hezbollah reportedly regards the U.S. draft as a basis for further negotiations.
Since September, Israel’s military has massively expanded its attacks in Lebanon, where it said it is seeking to push back Hezbollah from its northern border so that residents can return to their homes.
Fighter planes have bombed targets across the country and frequently in the suburbs south of Beirut.
The Hezbollah militia, which launched its attacks on Israel in solidarity with Palestinians in the Gaza Strip on October 8, has been firing on Israel in turn.
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The Lebanese caretaker prime minister Najib Mikati told Qatar’s Al Arabi TV on Monday that his country views the U.S. ceasefire proposal positively, though certain points required further clarification and analysis.
Israel began its military campaign in Gaza to eliminate Hamas following the unprecedented Oct. 7 attacks by militants on southern Israel.
Around 60,000 people in northern Israel have fled their homes due to the shelling. Since the start of the war, 77 people have been killed there and more than 640 injured.
In Lebanon, more than 3,000 people have died as a result of Israeli airstrikes and shelling.
(dpa/NAN)
