Lebanon-Israel ceasefire may be declared tonight
Diplomatic efforts to halt hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah reached a fever pitch on Wednesday, with reports suggesting a potential ceasefire could be announced as early as tonight.
Information Minister Paul Morcos told Al-Arabiya's Al-Hadath channel that the collaborative efforts of President Joseph Aoun and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam have "started to materialize."
Lebanese official sources told Al-Hadath that the United States is actively pressing Israel to agree to a cessation of hostilities and to formalize a date for subsequent negotiation rounds.
The U.S. initiative is reportedly aimed at strengthening the Lebanese central government. "Washington wants a ceasefire with Lebanon in order to strengthen the Lebanese government," an Israeli official told Israel's Channel 13.
"The U.S. has asked Israel to consider a temporary ceasefire in Lebanon as a goodwill gesture towards the Lebanese government," the Israeli Public Broadcasting Corporation said.
In Jerusalem, the Israeli security cabinet is scheduled to meet this evening to discuss the U.S. proposal. While some Israeli sources maintained a firm public stance -- stating that fire would not cease as long as Hezbollah's attacks continue -- Israeli reports said that the army is preparing for the possibility of a one-week ceasefire beginning as early as tomorrow.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu meanwhile met with opposition leader Yair Lapid for a security briefing, a move often preceding significant military or diplomatic shifts.
A senior Iranian security and political source meanwhile told Al-Mayadeen television that a ceasefire would be declared tonight following "Iranian diplomatic pressure."
Hezbollah MP Ibrahim al-Moussawi also confirmed that "Iranian and regional" efforts might soon lead to a ceasefire.
Source: Naharnet
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