Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire plan all but finalized

Israel and Iran-backed Hezbollah looked set to reach a ceasefire deal late yesterday, Israeli and Lebanese officials said, clearing the way for an end to the conflict that has killed thousands of people since it was ignited by the Gaza war 14 months ago.

A senior Israeli official and Lebanese Foreign Minister Abdallah Bou Habib appeared optimistic that a deal could be reached, cooling a second front for Israel's military that is also battling the Palestinian militant group Hamas in Gaza.

Israel's security cabinet was expected to convene late last night to likely approve the text at a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, a senior Israeli official said.

This would pave the way for a ceasefire declaration by US President Joe Biden and French President Emmanuel Macron, four senior Lebanese sources said.

The agreement requires Israeli troops to withdraw from south Lebanon and Lebanon's army to deploy in the region - a Hezbollah stronghold - within 60 days, officials say. In turn, Hezbollah would end its armed presence along the border south of the Litani River.

Lebanese Foreign Minister Abdallah Bou Habib the Lebanese army would be ready to have at least 5,000 troops deployed in southern Lebanon, and that the United States could play a role in rebuilding infrastructure destroyed by Israeli strikes.

Israel demands effective UN enforcement of a ceasefire with Lebanon and will show "zero tolerance" toward any infraction, Defense Minister Israel Katz said.

The agreement with Lebanon will maintain Israel's freedom of operation there to act in defence to remove threats posed by Hezbollah and enable displaced residents to return safely to their homes in northern Israel, Israeli government spokesperson David Mencer said.

Signs of a diplomatic breakthrough have been accompanied by military escalation. Israeli air strikes yesterday demolished more of Beirut's Hezbollah-controlled southern suburbs, while the armed group has kept up rocket fire into Israel.

The UN rights chief voiced concern about the escalation of hostilities.

Israel has dealt Hezbollah massive blows since September, killing leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah and other top commanders. Hezbollah, labeled as a terrorist group by Washington, has endorsed its ally, Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, to negotiate.

REUTERS