Israel and Hezbollah Near Ceasefire Agreement

Israel is reportedly nearing a ceasefire agreement with Hezbollah to end over a year of conflict, as U.S. mediator Amos Hochstein indicates noteworthy progress in negotiations. The proposed deal would include a two-month ceasefire, during which the Lebanese Army and UN peacekeepers would monitor the border, while Hezbollah withdraws its units and ceases attacks on Israeli targets. However, there remain significant hurdles, including Israeli officials' skepticism about the agreement's effectiveness and concerns about a potential resurgence of Hezbollah. Israeli Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir criticized the agreement as a 'big mistake', fearing it would allow Hezbollah to regroup. The ceasefire must also be approved by the Israeli cabinet, and trust issues persist regarding Lebanese compliance, particularly under Prime Minister Netanyahu's leadership. As hostilities continue, both sides remain cautious, with ongoing military actions underscoring the fragile state of negotiations.