Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held high-level talks with Hezbollah on Sunday, bringing the two sides one step closer to a possible ceasefire agreement in Lebanon. According to reports, discussions centered on a deal mediated by the United States that may put an end to hostilities. Conflicting reports, however, surfaced about how the discussions were going.
A senior Israeli official tells me Israel is moving towards a ceasefire agreement in Lebanon https://t.co/zz47ohzkwv
— Barak Ravid (@BarakRavid) November 24, 2024
According to an alleged senior Israeli source quoted by Axios writer Barak Ravid, Israel was moving closer to an agreement with Hezbollah. On the other hand, citing outstanding concerns, Israel's official television, Kan, stated that no deal had yet been completed.
Intensified Rocket Fire Amid Talks
Hezbollah fired more than 250 rockets and drones toward northern and central Israel on Sunday while truce talks were ongoing. Significant damage was recorded, and several bystanders were injured. Hezbollah's increasing strikes were expected in an effort to dissuade Israel from attacking Beirut any further, according to Channel 12 News.
Israel retaliated by attacking Hezbollah targets in Beirut with continuous airstrikes. According to Kan, before any deal was reached, defense authorities sought to eliminate as much of Hezbollah's military might as possible.
U.S. Mediation and Strategic Considerations
Amos Hochstein, a U.S. mediator, warned that this could be the last chance for progress and pushed Israeli authorities to complete the agreement. Hochstein allegedly stated that U.S. mediation would end until January, when U.S. President Donald Trump took office, if a deal could not be reached. Last week, Hochstein traveled to Jerusalem and Beirut to help in talks.
Under the Washington-backed deal, Hezbollah would progressively withdraw north of the Litani River. The goal of the Lebanese Army's retake of southern Lebanon would be to stop Hezbollah from reestablishing itself there. According to Kan, U.S. guarantees gave Israel the authority to take action in the event that Hezbollah broke the agreement.
According to Channel 12 News, former U.S. ambassador to Israel Dan Shapiro was scheduled to visit on Monday to help close the deal.
Border Clashes and Evacuations
Hezbollah-led soldiers have been attacking Israel's northern border almost every day since October 2023. Following Hamas' October 7 onslaught on southern Israel, these attacks were more intense. Israel responded by evacuating some 60,000 people from communities in the north that bordered Lebanon.
Hezbollah continued to strike both military and civilian targets in Israeli cities in the north and center. Israel initiated a ground operation in southern Lebanon to destroy Hezbollah strongholds and enable the safe return of evacuated people, according to the Times of Israel.
Casualties and Strategic Developments
Many people have died in the continuing war. Since October 2023, cross-border operations and clashes have claimed the lives of 71 IDF troops and reservists and 44 Israeli civilians. Israeli soldiers continued to advance forward into southern Lebanon while heavy ground combat continued.
According to reports, Hassan Nasrallah, the head of Hezbollah, and most of the organization's leadership were destroyed by Israeli bombs in September. Hezbollah continues to demonstrate its military might in spite of these failures by threatening further assaults on Israeli cities and disseminating propaganda.