Israel is evaluating a cessation of hostilities in southern Lebanon after weeks of clashes with Hezbollah

The Israeli security cabinet met this Wednesday to assess the possibility of a truce on the Lebanese front, amid the intensified offensive against the terrorist group Hezbollah and the diplomatic efforts of the United States to promote an agreement, according to reports from Reuters, Times of Israel, The Guardian and Jerusalem Post. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ratified the continuation of military operations in southern Lebanon and Israel's determination to restrict any Hezbollah presence between the border and the Litani River. Lebanese diplomatic sources and Israeli officials confirmed to Reuters and The Jerusalem Post that the Donald Trump administration has been pressuring Israel to accept a temporary truce in Lebanon, with the aim of creating space for peace negotiations. The Israeli cabinet concluded the meeting without making a definitive decision on the ceasefire. Some sources within Netanyahu's government advocate for further escalation, while other sectors, backed by the United States, believe that a tactical pause could facilitate a diplomatic solution to the conflict and strengthen Israel's position in future agreements. In parallel, sources from Hezbollah and the Lebanese government told Reuters that efforts for a truce are underway, although the start date or duration of the cessation of hostilities is unknown.

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Lebanese officials indicated that the duration of the truce could be linked to the validity of the ceasefire between the United States and Iran, whose extension is being negotiated separately.

Meanwhile, the Israeli premier assured in a recorded message that Israeli forces continue to "strike Hezbollah" and are advancing to "overcome" the resistance in the key city of Bint Jbeil, one of the strongholds of the Shiite group in the south.

Netanyahu stated that his instruction to the Israel Defense Forces is to maintain and reinforce the "security zone" up to the Litani River, 30 kilometers from the border, and to prevent any Hezbollah presence in that sector. “I have ordered that the entire area south of Lebanon up to the Litani River become a prohibited zone for Hezbollah operatives,” declared Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir during a visit to the troops deployed in Lebanese territory.

Meanwhile, in Washington, representatives from Israel and Lebanon held an unprecedented high-level meeting on Tuesday, the first between both governments in more than four decades. Netanyahu celebrated the talks and stated: “These negotiations haven't happened in over 40 years. They are happening now because we are very strong and countries are coming to us, not just Lebanon”.

The White House denies having formally demanded a ceasefire, although they acknowledge that they would welcome the end of hostilities as part of a possible peace agreement between Israel and Lebanon. “This is not something we have asked for, nor is it part of the peace negotiations with Iran, but the president would welcome an end to hostilities in Lebanon if it is part of an agreement”, indicated a senior U.S. official quoted by Times of Israel. The situation on the ground remains volatile. The Israeli army confirmed that five soldiers were injured this Wednesday during a Hezbollah rocket attack in southern Lebanon. Hezbollah, for its part, confirmed the launch of 40 rockets towards northern Israel during the morning, in response to the incursions and the Israeli advance in the south of the country. The group has also publicly condemned the Lebanese government's decision to initiate contacts with Israel and has warned about the risk of further internal fracture in Lebanon if the negotiation process continues. You can also read: Iran raises the death toll to over 3,000 in the war with the United States and Israel Iran, which militarily and financially supports Hezbollah, has demanded that the situation in Lebanon be part of any broader agreement to curb the war in the Middle East. Washington, for its part, rejects that negotiations with Iran and Lebanon are formally connected, although it recognizes the domino effect of the open fronts in the region. The Lebanese Ministry of Health reported that the Israeli attacks have caused at least 2,100 deaths, more than 7,000 injuries, and 1.2 million displaced people since the beginning of the offensive. For its part, Israel reported the death of 13 soldiers in Lebanon and two civilians due to Hezbollah attacks.