Lebanese authorities say Hezbollah accepts US proposal on ‘mutual cessation of attacks’

Beirut: Lebanese authorities have confirmed that Hezbollah has agreed to a US proposal for a “mutual cessation of attacks” with Israel, according to a statement by the Lebanese presidency, citing the Lebanese embassy in Washington.

The statement, released on Monday (local time), said that the confirmation followed a phone call between Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, during which the situation in Lebanon and efforts to de-escalate tensions were discussed.

According to the embassy, the US proposal calls for a reciprocal halt to attacks by both sides.

Under the proposed arrangement, Israeli strikes on Beirut’s southern suburbs would cease in exchange for Hezbollah refraining from its attacks against Israel. The ceasefire framework would later be expanded to cover all of Lebanese territory.

The embassy said that US President Donald Trump later informed Lebanon’s ambassador to the United States, Nada Hamadeh Mouawad, that he had secured Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s approval of the proposal.

Mouawad relayed the outcome to Aoun, who in turn informed Hezbollah of the development, the statement said.

Negotiation meetings scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday are expected to continue building on the progress achieved, the embassy added.

Earlier, Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri said that he has told the Trump administration that Hezbollah is prepared for a full and immediate ceasefire with Israel, and that he would guarantee its implementation, US media outlet Axios reported Monday, citing Berri’s top advisor, Ali Hamdan.

“I called the US ambassador to Beirut, Michel Issa, on Sunday and told him on behalf of Speaker Berri that Hezbollah will be ready to totally commit to a comprehensive ceasefire, and we are ready to guarantee it,” Hamdan told Axios.

Berri proposed a ceasefire on the ground, in the air and at sea, under which Israel would also commit to halting the demolition of houses in southern Lebanon, said the report.

According to the report, US officials have told Berri they do not think Netanyahu would agree, citing a source with knowledge.

US and Israeli officials question whether Berri can actually guarantee Hezbollah’s compliance. However, he is seen as one of the most powerful Shia politicians in Lebanon and has close links to Hezbollah, said the report.

Iran’s semi-official Tasnim news agency reported Monday that Tehran had suspended the exchange of messages with Washington through the mediators in protest over Israel’s actions in Lebanon.

Earlier on Monday, Netanyahu and Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz said they had ordered strikes on the Beirut suburb of Dahieh, considered a Hezbollah stronghold, amid increased rocket and drone launches by Hezbollah toward Israeli military positions.

The Israel Defense Forces said in a statement on Monday that an Israeli military doctor was killed and seven soldiers were injured by two explosive drones simultaneously fired by Hezbollah.

IANS