Lebanon says Hezbollah agrees to US ceasefire proposal with Israel

Lebanese authorities have said that Hezbollah has agreed to a United Statesbacked proposal calling for a reciprocal cessation of attacks between the group and Israel marking a potential step towards reducing tensions along the volatile IsraelLebanon border reported IANSThe development was disclosed in a statement issued by the Lebanese presidency on Monday citing information received from the Lebanese embassy in Washington following highlevel diplomatic contacts between Lebanese and US officials reported IANSThe proposal comes amid growing international efforts to prevent further escalation in the region following recent exchanges of fire and heightened military activity involving Israel and HezbollahLebanese president discusses deescalation with US secretary of stateAccording to the statement the latest developments were discussed during a telephone conversation between Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio reported IANSThe two leaders reviewed the security situation in Lebanon and ongoing diplomatic initiatives aimed at reducing hostilities and preventing a wider regional conflictThe Lebanese presidency said the US proposal envisages a mutual halt in attacks by both sides as a first step towards restoring stability reported IANSUnder the proposed arrangement Israeli military strikes on Beiruts southern suburbs would stop while Hezbollah would suspend attacks directed at IsraelOfficials indicated that the framework could later be expanded to include a broader ceasefire covering all Lebanese territory reported IANSTrump reportedly secured Israeli approvalThe Lebanese embassy in Washington stated that US President Donald Trump subsequently informed Lebanons ambassador to the United States Nada Hamadeh Mouawad that he had obtained Israeli approval for the proposal from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reported IANSAccording to the statement Mouawad conveyed the information to President Aoun who then informed Hezbollah about the proposed arrangementLebanese authorities said discussions are expected to continue in the coming days with negotiation meetings scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday aimed at advancing the ceasefire initiative and addressing outstanding issuesParliament speaker signals Hezbollahs readiness for ceasefireSeparately Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri reportedly informed US officials that Hezbollah is prepared to commit to a comprehensive ceasefire with Israel reported IANSAccording to a report by Axios Berris senior adviser Ali Hamdan said the speaker had communicated Hezbollahs position to US Ambassador to Lebanon Michel IssaI called the US ambassador to Beirut on Sunday and informed him on behalf of Speaker Berri that Hezbollah is ready to fully commit to a comprehensive ceasefire and we are prepared to guarantee its implementation Hamdan was quoted as saying reported IANSBerri reportedly proposed a ceasefire covering land air and sea operations with Israel also halting the demolition of homes in southern Lebanon as part of the arrangementQuestions remain over implementationDespite the reported progress the Axios report said some US and Israeli officials remain sceptical about whether Berri can ensure Hezbollahs full compliance with any agreementHowever Berri is regarded as one of Lebanons most influential Shia political leaders and maintains close ties with Hezbollah making him a significant intermediary in negotiationsAccording to the report US officials have indicated that they are uncertain whether Netanyahu would ultimately accept all aspects of the proposed ceasefire frameworkRising tensions continue despite diplomatic effortsThe ceasefire discussions are taking place against a backdrop of renewed military tensions between Israel and HezbollahEarlier on Monday Netanyahu and Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz announced that the Israeli military had been instructed to carry out strikes on the Beirut suburb of Dahieh an area widely considered a Hezbollah strongholdThe Israeli leadership said the decision followed an increase in rocket and drone attacks allegedly launched by Hezbollah towards Israeli military positionsThe Israel Defense Forces IDF stated that an Israeli military doctor was killed and seven soldiers were injured after two explosive drones were launched simultaneously by HezbollahIran suspends communications with WashingtonMeanwhile Irans semiofficial Tasnim news agency reported that Tehran had suspended the exchange of messages with Washington through mediators in protest against Israels military actions in LebanonThe move adds another layer of complexity to regional diplomatic efforts as international mediators continue working to prevent a broader conflict involving multiple actors in West AsiaWhile the reported agreement between Hezbollah and US mediators represents a potentially significant breakthrough negotiations remain ongoing and the success of the proposal will depend on whether both sides implement and sustain the commitments outlined in the ceasefire frameworkWith inputs from IANS