Israel-Lebanon ceasefire efforts: Latest developments

Israeli Minister of Strategic Affairs Ron Dermer, who is close to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, has paid a secret visit to Russia in a bid to reach a settlement with Lebanon, the Israeli army radio reported.

The radio said the visit was made several days after Israel attacked Iran on October 26, as Dermer's office declined to comment on the report.

"Russia is expected to play an important role in a possible ceasefire agreement should it be reached between Israel and Hezbollah, in order to guarantee a change of the situation in Lebanon and prevent Hezbollah's armament," the report added.

Dermer is meanwhile expected to travel to the U.S. today, Sunday, on a visit that might last four days to carry out "final consultations" regarding the "settlement's arrangements" in Lebanon, amid reports of a possible imminent settlement.

Israel Hayom meanwhile reported that under a proposed deal, Israel would receive "U.S. and Russian guarantees that Hezbollah won't be re-armed," and the Syrian government would be in charge of preventing arms transfers to Hezbollah from its territory.

Israel's Channel 12 for its part said that the Israeli government is "seriously mulling the choice of reaching a temporary ceasefire with Hezbollah, amid serious concerns among decision-makers in Tel Aviv that the U.N. Security Council might issue a resolution that would largely confine Israel's military movements."

Also according to Channel 12, the Biden administration is exerting "unprecedented pressure" on Israel to prevent further escalation in the war on Lebanon.

"Officials in Tel Aviv are worried that the U.S. might not use the veto right in the Security Council in support of Israel," the channel added.

And as the Israeli Public Broadcasting Corporation reported "real progress in the talks over the northern front," the Israel Hayom newspaper quoted a political official as saying that "there is talk of a very good agreement for Israel on the northern front that would serve its interests in an ideal way."

In the evening, Israel's Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper reported that U.S. President-elect Donald Trump and U.S. President Joe Biden "want to end the war in Lebanon before the January 20 inaguration" of Trump into the White House.

Sources meanwhile told Al-Arabiya that a draft truce agreement says a five-week ceasefire would begin on November 20.

The sources added that "Hochstein will visit Lebanon with a green light from Trump" and that "there is a serious possibility for a breakthrough in Lebanon's crisis during Hochstein's expected visit."