Israel Considering Deal to End War With Hezbollah in Lebanon: Reports

Israel is considering U.S. brokered deal to end conflict with Hezbollah in Lebanon with 60-day suspension of hostilities while mediators plan lasting peace deal to remove Hezbollah from the border area, according to Reuters.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu indicated in the report that he is open to a brief truce in Israel’s conflict with Hamas, if it could secure the release of a small number of the approximately 100 hostages still held by the Iran-backed militant group in Gaza.

Netanyahu’s reported remarks came after a meeting between his lead negotiator and senior Qatari and U.S. officials in Doha on Monday, aimed at reviving stalled ceasefire discussions following the recent killing of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar by Israeli forces.

How Does a Truce Between Israel and Hezballah Affect the US?

With the U.S. presidential election just a week away, the Biden administration remains hopeful for immediate ceasefire agreements between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, as well as between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon.

President Joe Biden said Monday that he would join his staff in discussing the proposal.

“We need a ceasefire. We should end this war. It should end. It should end. It should end,” Biden said.

Just over a year has passed since Iran-backed militant group Hamas carried out the deadliest attack by Palestinian militants in Israel’s history, resulting in the deaths of approximately 1,200 people and the capture of around 250 hostages.

Where Are the Israeli Hostages Now?

Nearly 100 individuals remain in captivity, with fewer than 70 believed to be alive. In response, Israel launched a military campaign in Gaza, which, according to Gaza’s health ministry, has resulted in the deaths of approximately 42,000 Palestinians.

Health officials in Gaza do not distinguish between civilians and combatants, but report that many casualties include women and children.

Following the Oct. 7, 2023, attack, Hezbollah, also backed by Iran, began launching rockets and drones into Israel in a show of solidarity with Hamas. In response, Israel initiated strikes against Hezbollah targets in Lebanon.

On Oct. 1, Iran launched a barrage of nearly 200 missiles at Israel, most of which were intercepted, according to U.S. and Israeli officials.

Why Are Israel and Iran Fighting?

Iran stated that its assault was in retaliation for Israel’s killing of a Hamas leader in Tehran in July, as well as the recent deaths of Hassan Nasrallah, Hezbollah’s former leader, and a senior Iranian military official in Beirut, who were reportedly killed in an Israeli strike last month, along with other Israel-linked operations in the region.

In response to this Iranian strike, Israel bombed military and space targets within Iran on Saturday, inflicting damage to the Shahroud base, run by Iran’s elite Revolutionary Guard, a powerful entity within Iran’s theocratic structure.

Lebanon’s health ministry reports over 2,500 deaths and 12,000 injuries in the past year due to ongoing conflict since Hezbollah, also backed by Iran, started firing rockets into Israel in support of Hamas.

UNICEF states that 1.2 million people, including over 400,000 children, have been displaced from their homes. Since fighting intensified in September, Israeli strikes have killed much of Hezbollah’s top leadership.

This article includes reporting from The Associated Press