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A draft plan has been proposed by the US to bring an end to the conflict between Israel and Hizbollah, suggesting a 60-day ceasefire and the withdrawal of both Israeli troops and the Lebanese militant group from southern Lebanon.
However, the proposal also grants Israeli forces the right to target Hizbollah in self-defense against imminent threats to Israel, and permits Israeli war planes to continue flying over Lebanon for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance purposes, as per a leaked draft obtained by Israel’s state broadcaster, Kann, on Wednesday evening.
The leak occurred just hours before US envoys Amos Hochstein and Brett McGurk were set to arrive in Israel to discuss Washington’s efforts to resolve the year-long conflict. It was anticipated that they would present an updated version of the document to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
While US officials confirmed the authenticity of the document, they noted that edits had been made to the leaked draft since last week when the paper was dated.
Sean Savett, a spokesman for the National Security Council, stated, “There are various reports and drafts circulating that do not accurately reflect the current state of negotiations.”
Sources familiar with the Lebanese government’s stance indicated that the draft was still unacceptable as it would give Israel the ability to engage in self-defense actions against Lebanon and prevent Hizbollah from reestablishing itself in the south. A US “side letter” included in the draft agreement reaffirms these principles.
One source mentioned, “Israel cannot claim control over the south and airspace,” while another suggested that although the draft, as it stands, is not feasible, it could serve as a starting point for further discussions.
Despite being weakened by Israel’s offensive, the Iranian-backed Hizbollah remains Lebanon’s dominant political and military force. Lebanon’s interim government could not reach a consensus on a deal without Hizbollah’s approval.
For several months, the US has been leading diplomatic efforts to bring an end to the conflict amid concerns that it could escalate into a full-scale war in the Middle East. Tensions rose in September following Israel’s assassination of Hizbollah’s leader Hassan Nasrallah, subsequent air strikes across Lebanon, and the invasion of the country’s south.
Washington’s focus on reaching an agreement has centered on the implementation of UN resolution 1701, which ended the previous war in 2006. The resolution called for Hizbollah’s withdrawal from southern Lebanon’s border with Israel and an end to Israeli flights over Lebanon. However, it was not fully implemented by either side.
According to the draft proposal, the US would play a more significant role in overseeing the deal’s implementation, including a two-month transitional period as the chair of an international monitoring and enforcement mechanism. This body would also be responsible for monitoring any future violations once a permanent ceasefire is established.
As per the plan, the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) would be deployed to the south and collaborate with the existing UN peacekeeping force in the region. During the initial 60-day period, Lebanon would be required to dismantle and seize all military assets, weapons, and infrastructure of non-state armed groups in southern Lebanon.
Israel would commit to a phased withdrawal of its troops from southern Lebanon within seven days of reaching an agreement.
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Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant insisted that negotiations with Hizbollah would only proceed under fire, demanding the group’s withdrawal north of the Litani River.
Israeli officials emphasized that their primary objective is to ensure the safety of northern Israel to facilitate the return of around 60,000 Israelis displaced by Hizbollah’s rocket attacks.
On Wednesday, Israel instructed residents of Baalbek in Lebanon’s Bekaa Valley to evacuate ahead of air strikes, while Israeli ground forces continued their advance into the south, urging inhabitants of several villages to evacuate.
In a televised address on Wednesday, Hizbollah’s new leader Naim Qassem stated that the group would agree to end the conflict if Israel desired, but on their terms. Qassem noted that political discussions had not yielded any fruitful proposals thus far.
He remarked, “Israel has not yet presented us with a proposal for discussion. Until then, we will continue to fight and will not seek a ceasefire. We will persist in our path of war.”