Israel-Hezbollah temporary ceasefire deal expected to be implemented 'in coming hours'

Senior US officials have said that they expect a ceasefire deal to be implemented "in the coming hours" along the Israel-Lebanon border, reported from SkyNews.

Speaking to reporters in a late-night, last-minute phone briefing, the US administration officials said that exhaustive behind-the-scenes diplomacy had resulted near agreement between the two sides.

One administration official said: "The ceasefire will be for 21 days along the blue line (demarcation line dividing Lebanon from Israel and the Golan Heights).

"During those 21 days, the parties will negotiate towards a potential resolution of the conflict that has been ongoing since Hezbollah launched the attack on October 8, and to reach a comprehensive agreement along the blue line that allows for residents to return to their home in both Lebanon and Israel."

The official emphasized that this ceasefire proposal was for the northern border only and did not extend to Gaza where Israel's military offensive against Hamas continues, but that a pause in the fighting between Israel and Hezbollah would create the "space" for progress in Gaza.

"It buys some time and space to try to pursue an arrangement in Gaza along the lines of the hostage deal we've been discussing," the US official said.

He continued: "We believe, regardless of what has happened on the battlefield over the last several days, the moment we feel is now to achieve that diplomatic resolution; to get there."

www.anews.az