US Secretary of State Engages in Ceasefire Talks with Netanyahu and Lebanese President

According to the International Desk of Webangah News Agency, … U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken engaged in discussions with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Lebanese President Joseph Aoun in separate phone calls on the previous night, aiming to resolve recent differences and broker a ceasefire. This information was reported by Channel 12 of Israeli television, citing an American official.

Simultaneously, a Lebanese official source stated in an interview with Al Jazeera that significant progress has been made in the negotiations between Lebanon and Israel in Washington. Channel 13 of Israeli television claimed that an agreement between Lebanon and Israel is imminent and will include mutual recognition of sovereignty over each other’s territories. The reports also suggest that Israel will withdraw from certain areas and hand them over to the Lebanese army.

Hebrew channel Kan reported that Israel and Lebanon are set to sign a framework agreement that evening, which will facilitate the commencement of Israeli forces’ withdrawal from southern Lebanon. However, this agreement would solidify their presence until Hezbollah’s weapons are disarmed. The same report indicated substantial progress in the Lebanon-Israel negotiations in recent hours, with sources suggesting that both parties have agreed on the initial experimental implementation of withdrawal in two areas where occupying forces will depart and the Lebanese army will take their place.

Further agreements were reportedly reached regarding the handling of tunnels, countering Hezbollah’s increasing capabilities, and negotiations on the land border between Lebanon and the occupying regime. Sources cited by the Hebrew media indicate that both sides have reached agreements on the start of the experimental implementation in two regions from which the occupying forces will withdraw and the Lebanese army will replace them.