Israel cabinet approves deal with Hezbollah to end Lebanon war

The Israeli cabinet approved Tuesday evening local time the American-mediated proposal for a deal with Hezbollah that would see the retreat of the group to the north of the Litani River in southern Lebanon, the withdrawal of Israeli troops from the region and the deployment there of Lebanese army soldiers.

The agreement, brokered by US special envoy to the region Amos Hochstein, calls for a 60-day period for the withdrawal of both sides and the deployment of the Lebanese soldiers. In parallel, the sides agreed to set up a control mechanism to avoid violations of the deal. The control mechanism will be headed by the United States, with the participation of France and Great Britain. 

Diplomatic sources confirmed Monday that the participation of France was one of the last obstacles on the way to a deal. Relations between Israel and France have been especially strained over the past few months over the war in Gaza and the war in Lebanon. According to Israel’s public broadcaster, Kan, the agreement should prevent any halt  of arms deliveries to Israel by the Biden administration.

Speaking to reporters in Rome Tuesday, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the ceasefire was in “its final stages.”

“I hope and believe that we can get this over the finish line,” Blinken said, adding that the Biden administration was “absolutely committed” to working with President-elect Donald Trump’s team on the deal’s implementation.