People embrace amidst the ruins of damaged buildings in Joun village, Chouf district, Lebanon, following Israeli strikes on November 13, 2024. — Reuters

Lebanon is anticipating concrete ceasefire proposals, according to Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, who was quoted on Wednesday. This comes after a senior US official expressed optimism about a potential truce soon in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hezbollah. The Israeli military continued its assault on the Hezbollah-controlled southern suburbs of Beirut for the second day in a row, following intense airstrikes on Tuesday. Smoke filled the skies over Beirut.

An Israeli airstrike in the early hours of Wednesday claimed six lives in Aaramoun, located approximately 15km south of Beirut, according to Lebanon's health ministry. Israel launched a significant air and ground offensive against Hezbollah in late September, marking the culmination of nearly a year of cross-border conflict alongside the Gaza war.

White House envoy Amos Hochstein shared with Axios that he believes "there is a shot" at a truce in Lebanon soon. "I am hopeful we can achieve it." His remarks reflect a final push by the outgoing administration of US President Joe Biden to secure a ceasefire in Lebanon, as efforts to end the Gaza war seem to be faltering, with mediator Qatar suspending its role.

The United States and other global powers emphasize that any ceasefire must align with UN Security Council resolution 1701, which concluded the 2006 war between Israel and Hezbollah. The resolution mandates that the areas of south Lebanon near the Israeli border be free of any weapons except those of the Lebanese state. Israel has long argued that this resolution was never fully implemented, citing Hezbollah's presence and weapons at the border. Conversely, Lebanon accuses Israel of violating the resolution, with Israeli warplanes frequently infringing on its airspace.

Berri, who is backed by Hezbollah for negotiations, told Asharq Al Awsat newspaper that Lebanon has not been officially informed of any new ceasefire proposals. Multiple rounds of US-led diplomacy over the past year have failed to secure a ceasefire. "What is on the table is only Resolution 1701 and its provisions, which must be implemented and adhered to by both sides, not just the Lebanese side," Berri, who played a key role in negotiating the 2006 truce, stated.

Israel seeks the right to intervene directly to enforce any ceasefire if deemed necessary, noting that UN peacekeepers in south Lebanon have not prevented Hezbollah from strengthening its forces in the region. There were no immediate reports of casualties from the Israeli strikes on Beirut's southern suburbs, which have seen most residents evacuate.

The Israeli military previously issued a social media statement warning that it would soon target areas near Hezbollah facilities, advising residents to stay clear. On Monday, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar indicated "certain progress" in ceasefire talks regarding Lebanon, though enforcement remains the primary challenge. Israel's new Defense Minister Israel Katz asserted that there would be no ceasefire in Lebanon until Israel's objectives are met, including disarming Hezbollah and allowing evacuated Israelis to return to their homes in northern Israel.

Israel's campaign has significantly weakened Hezbollah, killing its leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah and other top commanders, while targeting the group's political and military strongholds across Lebanon. Since the hostilities began a year ago, Israeli attacks have claimed the lives of at least 3,287 people in Lebanon, predominantly in the last seven weeks, according to the Lebanese health ministry. These figures do not differentiate between civilians and combatants. Hezbollah's attacks have resulted in the deaths of approximately 100 civilians and soldiers in northern Israel, the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, and southern Lebanon over the past year, according to Israel.

A Hezbollah attack on Tuesday killed two people in the city of Nahariya in northern Israel. Hezbollah later claimed responsibility for a drone attack targeting a military base east of Nahariya.

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