Islam Times - PM ‘Cautiously Optimistic’ About Lebanon, Israel Truce

Islam Times - Lebanese caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati expressed hope that a ceasefire to end the Zionist regime’s attack on his country could be announced within days as Israeli media published what it claimed was a draft truce agreement providing for an initial 60-day cessation of fighting.

Mikati told Al-Jadeed television he became more optimistic about the possibility of a truce after speaking on Wednesday with the United States envoy for the Middle East, Amos Hochstein, who was due to travel to the occupied territories on Thursday.

“Hochstein, during his call with me, suggested to me that we could reach an agreement before the end of the month and before November 5,” Mikati said, referring to the date of the US election.

“We are doing everything we can, and we should remain optimistic that in the coming hours or days, we will have a ceasefire,” Mikati continued, adding that he was “cautiously optimistic”.

Israeli public broadcaster Kan published what it said was a leaked proposal written by Washington in which Israel would withdraw its forces from Lebanon within the first week of a proposed 60-day ceasefire.

The Reuters news agency also obtained similar details regarding the proposal from two sources familiar with the matter.

Asked to comment on the leak, White House National Security Spokesperson Sean Savett stated, “There are many reports and drafts circulating. They do not reflect the current state of negotiations.”

Kan reported that the draft had been presented to Israel’s leaders. Israeli officials did not immediately comment.

Mikati’s announcement on the possibility of a truce also came with caveats, as he noted that a ceasefire should come with American guarantees.

The prime minister has also stressed that the Lebanese military will need additional hardware, additional weapons and logistical equipment.

Earlier on Wednesday, Hezbollah’s new leader, Sheikh Naim Qassem, said his fighters would agree to a ceasefire only if Israel stopped its “aggression” and if the proposal is seen “as suitable”.

“If the Israelis decide to stop the assault, we say that we accept, but according to the conditions that we see as suitable,” Sheikh Qassem stressed, speaking from an undisclosed location in a prerecorded televised address.

“We will not beg for a ceasefire as we will continue [fighting] … no matter how long it takes,” he added.

Sheikh Qassem has replaced Hezbollah’s former longtime leader Seyed Hassan Nasrallah, who was assassinated in an Israeli air attack on a Beirut suburb in late September. He had served as deputy secretary-general of Hezbollah for more than three decades.

The escalation against Lebanon, which began following the launch of the military onslaught on the besieged in October 2023, has witnessed the regime carrying out countless deadly attacks against the Lebanese territory.

More than 2,800 people have been killed and almost 13,000 wounded in Lebanon in a year of Israeli military campaign, with most of the deaths occurring in the past months.

Heavy Israeli bombardment have forced many families to flee the densely populated neighbourhoods in Beirut.

As the Zionist regime continues its bombing campaign, Hezbollah pledges it will continue to confront Israel in support of the Gaza Strip.