Emergency responders reached the scene of an Israeli attack in the southern Lebanese city of Tyre on November 25, 2024. — AFP

Israel is progressing towards a ceasefire in its conflict with Lebanon's Hezbollah, though unresolved matters remain, the government stated on Monday. Meanwhile, the Israeli ambassador to the United States hinted that an agreement might be imminent within days. Efforts to secure a truce seemed to gain momentum last week when US mediator Amos Hochstein reported substantial progress following discussions in Beirut, followed by meetings in Israel and a return to Washington. However, hostilities escalated concurrently: over the weekend, Israel launched intense airstrikes, one resulting in the death of at least 29 people in central Beirut. In response, Hezbollah, backed by Iran, launched one of its largest rocket attacks on Sunday, firing 250 missiles.

"We are advancing towards a deal, but there are still some matters to resolve," said Israeli government spokesperson David Mencer, without providing further details. Michael Herzog, Israel's ambassador to the United States, informed Israel's GLZ radio that an agreement was near and "it could occur within days...We just need to finalize the remaining details," according to a post by GLZ senior anchorman Efi Triger. However, far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir argued that Israel must continue the war until "absolute victory." He urged Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on X to "halt this agreement!"

The conflict between Israel and Hezbollah escalated into full-scale war in September when the Israeli military initiated an offensive, targeting extensive areas of Lebanon with airstrikes and deploying troops to the south. Israel has significantly weakened Hezbollah, killing its leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah and other top commanders, and causing extensive damage in areas under Hezbollah's control, including Beirut's southern suburbs.

Israel conducted additional airstrikes on the southern suburbs, known as Dahiyeh, on Monday, claiming to have hit Hezbollah military headquarters and issuing advance warnings for residents to evacuate, resulting in the area being largely abandoned. Hezbollah leader Sheikh Naim Qassem mentioned last week that the group had reviewed and provided feedback on the US ceasefire proposal, leaving any truce in Israel's hands. Labeled a terrorist organization by the United States, Hezbollah has supported Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri of the Shia Amal movement for negotiations.

Israel's objective is to ensure the safe return of tens of thousands of evacuees from its northern regions due to rocket attacks by Hezbollah, which began in support of Hamas at the outset of the Gaza war in October 2023. Israel's offensive has displaced over one million people in Lebanon. Diplomatic efforts are centered on reinstating a ceasefire based on UN Security Council Resolution 1701, which concluded the 2006 Hezbollah-Israel war, requiring Hezbollah to withdraw its fighters approximately 30 km (19 miles) from the Israeli border and the Lebanese army to deploy in the border region.

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