Deal or no deal? Hochstein travels to Beirut

U.S. mediator Amos Hochstein traveled to Beirut on Monday in an effort to finalize a ceasefire agreement that would end the war between Israel and Hezbollah, U.S. officials told U.S. news portal Axios.

Hochstein's trip to Beirut is a sign that a deal could be within reach, one official said. A second official cautioned the trip doesn't mean a deal was imminent.

The draft agreement includes a ceasefire and 60-day transition period, during which the Israeli military would withdraw from southern Lebanon, the Lebanese army would deploy in areas close to the border and Hezbollah would move its heavy weapons north of the Litani River.

Hochstein was supposed to leave for Beirut on Monday morning, but decided to delay his departure until getting a clearer answer about the Lebanese position, U.S. officials told Axios.

Two hours later, the Lebanese came back with an updated response that convinced Hochstein to go to Beirut.

If talks in Beirut are successful, Hochstein is expected to travel to Israel on Wednesday.

Israel has significantly increased the number of airstrikes in Lebanon, including Beirut, in recent days, and it has expanded its ground operation in southern Lebanon.

Israeli officials said the aim was to increase the pressure on Hezbollah to agree to the ceasefire agreement.

According to the Lebanese press, Hezbollah and the Lebanese government are concerned about a clause in the ceasefire agreement that says Israel will have the right to defend itself against threats from Lebanon.

Israel has asked the Biden administration for a side letter that would guarantee its "freedom of action" in Lebanon.

The letter would include a U.S. commitment allowing Israel to take military action in Lebanon if the Lebanese army and U.N. peacekeepers don't prevent Hezbollah from reestablishing military activity near the border, or from smuggling heavy weapons into Lebanon, U.S. and Israeli officials said.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Monday at the Knesset that Israel is demanding that Hezbollah withdraw its forces north of the Litani River. Israel also must have the ability to prevent Hezbollah from rearming, he said.

"We won't allow Hezbollah to go back to where it was on Oct. 6," Netanyahu said.

U.S. State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said on Monday the U.S. is "making progress" on the Lebanon ceasefire talks and added "we are determined to get the negotiations over the finish line."