A ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah might be just around the corner, according to a regional source who spoke to CNN on Sunday. But even as talks seem to be making progress, the violence hasn’t let up. Over 3,000 people in Lebanon have lost their lives since mid-September, with attacks only escalating in recent days.
The source said the deal is “closer than ever,” but it’s not a done deal yet. Mediators are still ironing out issues, and officials from the US and Israel are urging caution, saying nothing has been finalized.
“We’re heading in the right direction, but there are still things to sort out,” a spokesperson for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told CNN.
A Pause in Fighting?
The US and Israel are pressuring Hezbollah to accept a 60-day cease-fire, which is one of the main proposals on the table. There is optimism that this short-term truce will serve as a springboard for a more permanent peace.
Since Israel began a massive attack in Lebanon in mid-September, the carnage has continued unabated. After Hezbollah invaded Israel in support of Hamas and the Palestinians in Gaza, it all began with border skirmishes. The situation rapidly deteriorated, and Israel retaliated vigorously.
Since then, Israel has carried out a ground invasion, killed top Hezbollah leaders—including one of its founders, Hassan Nasrallah—and injured thousands. The attacks have included everything from airstrikes to bizarre tactics like exploding pagers.
Lebanon’s Death Toll Keeps Climbing
The human cost of the conflict is staggering. On Saturday alone, Israeli attacks killed at least 84 people and injured over 200, according to figures from Lebanon’s health ministry. One of the deadliest strikes hit a crowded residential building in central Beirut, killing nearly 30 people in one go.
Thus far, 3,072 death and 13,426 injury cases have been reported in Lebanon according to official numbers. With a growing number of victims came a growing pressure on ceasefire talks.
US Envoy Pressures Israel
US Ambassador Amos Hochstein has been putting in long hours, crisscrossing the area in a bid to reach an agreement. But patience is wearing thin. Israeli television network reported last weekend, CNN/Axios reporter Barak Ravid, according to the Israeli TV channel, on Saturday, Hochstein warned the Israeli ambassador in Washington that if Israel won’t agree to the ceasefire proposal soon, he might stop the mediation. In the meantime, Netanyahu has been advising on ceasefire possibilities. But no official decision has been announced yet.
What Happens Next?
Now, however, the fighting is on, and the Lebanese people bear its burden. The pressure on all sides is mounting in parallel with the daily increase in the number of airstrikes, injuries and fatalities.
A 60-day pause could be a lifeline for the region, but whether it actually happens is still up in the air. As one source put it, “It’s close, but not there yet.” For now, all eyes are on the negotiators—and the clock is ticking.
