Nov 19 (V7N) - Lebanon and Hezbollah have agreed to a U.S. proposal for a ceasefire with Israel, marking a significant step toward ending the ongoing conflict, a senior Lebanese official said Monday. Ali Hassan Khalil, an aide to Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, stated that Lebanon had formally delivered its response to U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon and that White House envoy Amos Hochstein is set to continue discussions in Beirut.

The proposal includes adherence to U.N. Security Council Resolution 1701, which ended the 2006 war between Hezbollah and Israel. This resolution prohibits Hezbollah's armed presence in the area between the Lebanese-Israeli border and the Litani River. Hezbollah, supported by Iran, has endorsed Berri's leadership in the negotiations.

However, the initiative’s success now rests on Israel’s cooperation, with Khalil stressing that Israel’s position on the matter remains critical. "If Israel does not want a solution, it could create more obstacles," Khalil remarked. Israel has previously criticized the implementation of Resolution 1701, citing Hezbollah's continued presence near the border, while Lebanon has accused Israel of violating the resolution with airspace incursions.

As tensions rise with intensified Israeli bombardment of Beirut and southern suburbs, Khalil emphasized that Lebanon's stance would not be swayed by the escalation, urging for a peaceful resolution through dialogue and international support.

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