US preparing plan for temporary Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire, officials say

The Biden administration is working on a new diplomatic initiative for a "pause" in the fighting in Lebanon and a resumption of negotiations on a Gaza hostage and ceasefire deal, two U.S. officials, one Israeli official and two sources with direct knowledge told U.S. news portal Axios.

“The White House initiative could be announced as early as Wednesday in an attempt to halt the escalation between Israel and Hezbollah,” Axios said.

“Discussions of the new initiative started after a phone call last Monday between White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan and Israeli minister of strategic affairs Ron Dermer,” U.S. and Israeli officials told Axios.

Over the last two days, the U.S. has been discussing the idea with France, Israel, Lebanon and several other Arab countries, a U.S. official and a European diplomat said.

"We are working with several countries on a proposal for a diplomatic solution for the north," a U.S. official confirmed.

"Netanyahu gave a green light to discuss this initiative," an Israeli official told Axios.

The aim is to achieve a pause that will give space for negotiations on a broader diplomatic deal to prevent a wider war, allow displaced civilians to return to their homes on both sides of the border, and provide renewed momentum for a Gaza ceasefire and hostage deal, a source with direct knowledge of the plans told Axios.

"If Hamas sees that Hezbollah gives a chance for a diplomatic solution it could encourage [Hamas] leader Yahya Sinwar to move towards a deal," the source said.

White House deputy national security adviser Jon Finer said at an Axios event on Tuesday that the Biden administration sees a path to de-escalating the situation on the Israel-Lebanon border.

"We are working on it in real time in New York and in capitals around the world," Finer said.

Parliament Nabih Berri said on Wednesday that the next 24 hour will be "crucial" for the diplomatic efforts to avoid further escalation.

Sources meanwhile told Sky News Arabia that a paper submitted by Berri is aimed at reaching a solution that would be accepted by all parties for the implementation of Resolution 1701.

Sky News Arabia also quoted Israeli officials as saying that Washington and Paris are working on ceasefire proposals but that there is no tangible progress until now.

Sky News Arabia added that U.S. mediator Amos Hochstein will lead the negotiations and that a de-escalation paper calls for a four-week ceasefire.

And as Reuters quoted a Lebanese official as saying that Hezbollah is open to any settlement involving Lebanon and Gaza, the Israeli ambassador to the U.N. said Israel is working with Washington on avoiding war in Lebanon.

Israeli newspaper Israel Hayom for its part said that “Netanyahu informed ministers that he gave the green light to Dermer to tell the U.S. that Israel is ready for a temporary ceasefire in Lebanon in order to negotiate without fire on the withdrawal of Hezbollah.”